‘I graduated, Now what Next?’ — Silent struggle of Nigerian Youths after NYSC

By Precious Onajobi 

It’s been two years since Sarah returned home from her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), posting in Ebonyi. Her once tightly ironed khaki uniform now lies untouched in a box under her bed. Each morning, she wakes up to the same question she’s been asking herself since the last parade: What next? No job offer. No interview invitation. Just days blurring into each other and the quiet hum of WhatsApp notifications from job alert groups.

For thousands of Nigerian graduates like Sarah, the end of NYSC isn’t a smooth transition into employment, it’s a confusing stretch of silence, fear, and makeshift survival. Behind every Instagram post of passing-out ceremonies is a deeper story of uncertainty. 

Every year, over 350,000 Nigerian youths pass through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), entering a labour market that remains a complex and challenging space. According to the Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) Q2 2024 released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), youth unemployment (ages 15–24) dropped to 6.5%, down from 8.4% recorded in the previous quarter. While this shows a slight improvement, experts note that many of these young people are still caught in jobs that do not match their qualifications or ambitions.

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In the broader context, Nigeria’s overall unemployment rate fell from 5.3% in Q1 to 4.3% in Q2 2024. However, this figure alone doesn’t capture the full picture. The rate of underemployment, where people work fewer hours than they are willing or are in roles that underutilize their skills, stood at 9.2%. When combined, the unemployment and time-related underemployment rate (classified as LU2 by the NBS) reached 13.0%.

Another revealing metric is the NEET rate, the percentage of young people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training, which currently stands at 12.5%. This figure reflects a substantial segment of Nigerian youth who are idle, a situation that increases their vulnerability to poverty, migration, and social instability.

Even among those who are employed, the quality of work raises concerns. The informal sector still dominates Nigeria’s labour force, with 93% of working Nigerians engaged in informal jobs, lacking job security, social protection, or stable income. Meanwhile, self-employment continues to account for over 85% of the employed population, often out of necessity rather than choice.

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These numbers, while reflecting minor gains, highlight the stark reality: many Nigerian youths remain underutilized, not due to a lack of ambition, but due to a system that hasn’t evolved fast enough to meet their needs.

The Waiting Phase: No Job, Just Hope

After the passing out parade and final salute, a new kind of silence begins, the one filled with questions, applications, and uncertainty.

“I won’t lie, I thought NYSC would be the turning point,” said Abeeb Azeez, a Mechanical Engineering graduate. “But post-NYSC life is humbling. I haven’t received any job offers yet, but to be fair, I haven’t sent out my CV either. Right now, I’m using this ‘waiting phase’ to build myself, learning new skills and positioning for the opportunities I want.”

Azeez isn’t the only one navigating this uneasy space between school and career. In virtual communities where graduates gather, Telegram channels, job boards, and CV review groups, the mood swings between hope and frustration. Rejections, no-responses, and the haunting phrase: “We’ll get back to you.”

Yet, he remains focused. “I’m not under pressure from anyone,” he says. “My motivation comes from within. I know where I want to be, and even though I’m not there yet, I’m closer than I was yesterday.”

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Like many others, Azeez is learning that success, post-NYSC, rarely comes quickly. It’s a slow climb, marked by prayer, persistence, and patience. But every day he wakes up and pushes forward, trusting that the breakthrough will come.

“I believe my time will come,” he adds quietly. “And when it does, I’ll look back at this phase and be proud I never gave up.”

Survival Mode: From Khaki to Side Hustles

After completing NYSC in February 2022, 25-year-old Caleb Akinnimi, splits his time between teaching at his mother’s school and navigating the volatile world of cryptocurrency.

“Teaching has always been part of me since I was a kid,” he said. “But after service, I knew I needed something extra to survive.”

That “extra” came in the form of crypto mining, starting with Core on the Satoshi app. Once the coin launched, Caleb fully immersed himself in the crypto space. “It’s not easy,” he admitted. “But in this country, 94% of people work just to survive. Only 4% chase their careers, and 2% have money to start something meaningful.”

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While he holds back from sharing personal struggles, Caleb doesn’t shy away from calling out systemic issues. “Connections run everything. People finish NYSC and can’t find jobs, while politicians’ kids are handed positions they didn’t earn. The system is rigged.”

He said “Companies should start organizing interviews for corp members before they pass out, state by state. It’ll help reduce unemployment and ensure the right people get hired.”

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Despite the odds, Caleb still holds on to hope. “I’ve seen the harsh reality, but as long as there’s life, there’s a chance to make things better.”

The Privilege Gap: Not All Waiting is Equal

While some graduates hustle endlessly, others slide into opportunities through connections or privilege.

“I got a role in my uncle’s firm two weeks after NYSC,” said an anonymous respondent. “It wasn’t what I wanted, but it was better than job hunting.”

This uneven playing field creates quiet resentment among peers, especially when social media makes every win look effortless. The illusion of equal opportunity fades quickly after NYSC, exposing the cracks in Nigeria’s system.

What’s the way forward?

Youths themselves have ideas, not complaints. “I think NYSC should offer post-service career support,” said Tosin. “Workshops, mentorship, and job matching platforms could really help.” Experts echoes this. Recruiter and HR consultant says companies should rethink entry-level expectations. “You can’t expect fresh graduates to have years of experience, Internships, graduate trainee programs, and proper onboarding are key.”

There’s also a growing call for youth-centered policies that go beyond token empowerment programs, real investment in job creation, skills development, and mental health support. With the right support from government, employers, and society, the energy and potential of Nigerian youths can be channeled into meaningful opportunities and lasting progress.