National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may soon sign branding deals with 'big companies' to make up for budgetary shortcomings.
NYSC Director-General (DG), Brigadier-General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, gave the hint in an interview with The Sun.
Olawumi said the Corps' dependence on the government for all its funding is a major challenge.
"NYSC is an agency that depends almost solely on government subvention," he said.
"The fact remains that a lot of things need to be done but budgetary allocation to the scheme might not allow us to do them.
"That's one major challenge."
The DG said in recognition of the fact that "government cannot do everything, even if it loves to do so," the Corp may partner with the private sector, especially with companies that have indicated interest in branding.
"One thing we are considering is the need to get the private sector to be more involved in funding the scheme.
"For example, we are getting signals that some big companies are ready to brand some of our products, camps and uniforms.
"We are looking at the possibility of corporate organisations supporting the scheme through branding."
He however said the Corp will make sure it does not "violate the NYSC Act" as it seeks additional funding.
He also called on states and local governments to fulfil their obligations to the scheme as specified in the Act.
