Are Married or Pregnant Women Allowed in the NYSC Camp?

If you are a married or pregnant woman who wants to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, you might be wondering if you are eligible or not.

The NYSC is a one-year mandatory service scheme for Nigerian graduates who are below 30 years of age. The program aims to foster national unity, patriotism and skills development among the youths.

The good news is that married and pregnant women are allowed to join the NYSC camp, but there are some conditions and exemptions that apply. In this blog post, we will explain what you need to know and do if you fall into this category.

Married Women

Married women are allowed to join the NYSC camp, but they have the option to apply for a concessional posting. This means that they can request to be posted to the state where their husband resides, or a state close to it. This is to enable them to stay close to their families and avoid any marital issues that might arise from being away for a long time.

To apply for a concessional posting, married women need to provide the following documents:

• A marriage certificate or an affidavit of marriage
• A letter from their husband’s employer stating his place of work and residence
• A utility bill or any other proof of residence
• A letter of request addressed to the NYSC director-general
• A photocopy of their NYSC call-up letter

These documents should be submitted at the NYSC state secretariat where they are posted, within the first week of orientation camp. The NYSC officials will verify the documents and approve or reject the request. If approved, the married woman will be redeployed to her preferred state after the orientation camp.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are also allowed to join the NYSC camp, but they have to consider their health and safety first. The orientation camp is usually a rigorous and stressful experience, with physical activities, drills, lectures and social events.

Pregnant women might find it difficult to cope with the demands of the camp, especially if they have any complications or health issues.

Therefore, pregnant women have the option to defer their service until after they give birth. This means that they can postpone their participation in the NYSC program until they are ready and fit to serve. To defer their service, pregnant women need to provide the following documents:

• A medical report from a government hospital confirming their pregnancy and expected delivery date
• A letter of request addressed to the NYSC director-general
• A photocopy of their NYSC call-up letter

These documents should be submitted at the NYSC state secretariat where they are posted, before the commencement of orientation camp. The NYSC officials will verify the documents and approve or reject the request.

If approved, the pregnant woman will be exempted from the orientation camp and will resume her service after she delivers and recovers.

Conclusion

Married and pregnant women are welcome to join the NYSC camp, but they have some options and benefits that can make their service easier and more convenient.

They can apply for a concessional posting or defer their service depending on their situation and preference. They should ensure that they have all the required documents and follow the proper procedures to avoid any problems or delays.