27/07/2026
NYS Raises Alarm Over Rejection of Corps Members by government institutions.
By Thaimu T Kamara
The National Youth Service (NYS) has expressed concern over what it describes as the growing rejection of corps members by some government institutions, a situation the agency says is undermining the objectives of the national service programme.
Speaking to Expo media, the Executive Director of the National Youth Service, Mohamed Onanah Jalloh, said it is disappointing that several government institutions are refusing to accept corps members who have successfully completed the mandatory NYS training and deployment process.
According to Jalloh, the development has become a major challenge for the institution and the young graduates who have dedicated themselves to serving the nation through the programme.
He said the NYS was established to provide graduates with an opportunity to contribute to national development while gaining practical work experience. However, the refusal by some institutions to receive deployed corps members is frustrating that objective.
“It is a big disappointment to the National Youth Service and to the young people we are serving,” Jalloh said. He added that the matter has already been brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities for urgent intervention.
The Executive Director expressed hope that the relevant government institutions would engage with the NYS to find a lasting solution that would ensure all deployed corps members are accepted and allowed to undertake their national service.
Several affected corps members also shared their experiences, describing the situation as discouraging after years of academic study and participation in the NYS programme.
One corps member, who requested anonymity, said he was turned away after reporting to a government institution where he had been officially deployed.
According to the graduate, officials at the institution informed him that there was no available space to accommodate additional corps members despite his deployment through the National Youth Service.
“They told us there was no space for us to serve,” the corps member said, adding that many of his colleagues had faced similar experiences at different government institutions.
The anonymous corps member called on the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that graduates are given the opportunity to complete their national service without unnecessary obstacles.
Other corps members echoed similar concerns, saying they had endured years of university education before successfully completing the mandatory 21-day NYS orientation and training camp, only to find themselves without placement.
Some graduates further alleged that they have not been deployed to any institution since completing their training, leaving them uncertain about their future and unable to begin their national service assignments.
The affected graduates said the delay and rejection have caused frustration and uncertainty, particularly for those who expected the programme to provide valuable work experience and contribute to their career development.
They appealed to the Government of Sierra Leone and other relevant authorities to urgently address the issue and ensure that all government institutions cooperate with the National Youth Service in receiving deployed corps members.
The National Youth Service remains one of the government’s key youth empowerment initiatives, designed to prepare graduates for the world of work while promoting patriotism, national unity and community service.
Stakeholders believe that effective collaboration between the NYS and public institutions is essential to achieving these objectives. They argue that resolving the current challenges would not only benefit graduates but also strengthen confidence in the programme.
As concerns continue to grow among affected corps members, many are now waiting for action from the relevant authorities following the concerns raised by the Executive Director. They hope that swift intervention will ensure all qualified corps members are deployed and allowed to complete their national service in accordance with the objectives of the programme.
