Factors and Challenges Affecting Work Performance of National Youth Corps Members in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Studies of young Nigerians in National Youth Service Corps scheme have not addressed the issues of their work performance. This study was conducted in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo state. Expectancy theory provided the theoretical framework. The design were both survey and exploratory. A two-stage sampling consisting of purposive and simple random techniques were used to select locations and respondents. Sample size (177) for survey consisted of Corps members selected from schools (119), state ministries (39) and parastatals (17) and private firms(2). Questionnaire was used to elicit information. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with Corps members (10) and their supervisors (10). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and chi-square test statistics at 5% level of significance while qualitative data were content analysed. Most respondents viewed their work as national responsibility (40.7%) however, 75.1% viewed their work expectation as unfulfilled. Although, 78.0% rated the quality of their work performance as good, however, Corpers were faced with a number of challenges, such as accommodation and insecurity (79.7%), poor work attitude of others (72.3%), lack of adequate work engagement (61.6%) and high cost of transportation (66.1%). Most employers evaluated the work performance of the Corpers as positive. The study recommended that there is the need for restructuring of the scheme to address the challenges confronting youth Corpers for positive and sustained work performance.

The Perception of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Among Corps Medical Doctors in Nigeria. A Cross- Sectional Study

“…This is close to the ndings of a study among corps member in Ibadan where 79.7% of respondents reported lack accommodation as part of challenges faced. [21] The study was conducted among 177 corps members from different elds in Ibadan, so the differences in sample size, distribution and population could account for the observed differences.…”

“…[7] Some corps members posted to some states have lamented the non-provision of accommodation and stipend from the PPA despite so much work with their skills. [18,21] Most corps doctors earn 1/3rd to 1/5th of their housemanship monthly Salary during service. This downgrade of income in spite of the skills possessed could be depressing and discouraging.…”

“…[1] During mobilisation for the scheme, Prospective corps members are expected to choose four states of their choice for possible deployment but it has been alleged that despite this selection process some people end up in states they did not choose while some are able to in uence their posting to a desired state. [21] The program has been met with criticism from a large portion of the country and corps members about their remuneration that goes along with the scheme [3] . A few youths carrying out the NYSC program have been killed in the regions where they are sent due to religious, ethnic and political violence [4,5] .…”

Perception of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) among corps medical doctors in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

“…The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 [1] and since its inception, the programme has been met with criticism from participants (corps members), who have identified problems faced by corps members including medical doctors [2][3][4]. These problems are likely to influence the performance of corps medical doctors during the scheme.…”

“…Some of the problems associated with the programme include being posted to harsh, unfavourable or undesirable locations [4], insecurity due to religious, ethnic and political violence [6,7], accidents and deaths due to poor transportation networks [8], exploitation and poor welfare at places of primary assignment [9], refusal of relocation requests [10], unavailability of decent accommodation facilities [3,4] and poor remuneration [11]. Most corps medical doctors earn less than half of what they earned during their internship.…”