As tens of millions of young Nigerians navigate a world shaped by screens, codes, and digital transformation, their civic institutions remain disappointingly traditional. But a...

As tens of millions of young Nigerians navigate a world shaped by screens, codes, and digital transformation, their civic institutions remain disappointingly traditional. But a bold new vision is emerging—one that could redefine National Youth Service  forever.

Imagine if the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) wasn’t just about orientation camps and placards but about building apps, mapping communities with data, revolutionizing local agriculture with drones, and tutoring students remotely. That’s the idea behind the proposed “Civic Tech Coprs”, a reimagined version of national service designed to leverage Nigeria’s most energetic and digitally fluent generation.

Unveiled in a visionary paper, the Civic Tech Corps addresses a painful gap: the growing disconnect between Nigerian youth—a generation steeped in tech and innovation—and an outdated system that doesn’t harness their potential. With over 60% of the country under age 25, the proposal argues that national service could be transformed from a ritual into a nation-building tool—mobilizing young people to lead projects in civic tech, agri-tech, digital governance, and much more.

Initial ideas for the Civic Tech Corps include remote learning initiatives, community data mapping projects, mentorship and masterclasses by diaspora professionals, and a gamified digital platform for recognition and engagement across pilot cities. In essence, it’s civic infrastructure built by technology-savvy youth for the Nigerian people.