alder case study

During the Nigerian public sector reform  programme spearheaded by the Bureau of Public Sector Reform, Alder was invited by the National Youth Service Corp to review its programmes and propose innovative ways of improving the agency.

The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war.

The unfortunate ethnic antecedents in Nigeria’s national history gave impetus to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps to encourage the development of common ties among Nigerian youths and national unity.

The programme is mandatory for all Nigerian graduates (under the age of 30 years). For a period of a year, they are posted to states (distinct from their states of origin) and typically  work in sectors that urgently require graduate expertise e.g. rural farms, hospitals, schools, etc.

In developing ideas and programmes for the National Youth Service Corp, the following were considered:

The present state of discontent expressed by the youth participants (Corpers) and coordinators

The lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities. (The programme kicks off with a 3
week on-site mobilisation & training exercise for the graduates)

The lack of efficient programme administration

Alder's preliminary research indicated concern by recent Corpers (and the general public) regarding the structure of the scheme and the content of its programmes.

This research data was presented to the key Directors and Management of NYSC. They were subsequently guided through an organisational dimensioning exercise where the essence of the Scheme as well as a new mission and vision were crafted.

New initiatives were designed to suit the generational requirements of today's youth as well as national imperatives. The focus of the initiatives was on entrepreneurship & enterprise. Key web based tools to drive research and administrative  improvements were also designed.