1.1 Introduction
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a government-established program in Nigeria aimed at fostering national unity, social integration, and community development among Nigerian graduates (Adediran, 2020). Since its inception in 1973, the scheme has engaged young graduates in various developmental activities, including education, health, and infrastructural projects within host communities. The NYSC program is also positioned as a platform to inculcate civic responsibility and ethical values, thereby preparing the youth for effective participation in national development.
Environmental sustainability has become a critical global concern due to the increasing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and pollution (Adebayo, 2020). The 3Rs principles Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle serve as a strategic framework for managing waste and promoting efficient use of resources. Reducing waste involves minimizing the generation of materials that end up as refuse, reusing emphasizes extending the life cycle of products, and recycling entails processing used materials to create new products (Okoro & Udeh, 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, research questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established in Nigeria in 1973 with the aim of promoting national unity, fostering patriotism, and encouraging youth participation in community development (Adediran, 2020). According to Okoro and Udeh (2021), the scheme also provides a platform for corps members to engage in programs that support environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The integration of the 3Rs principles Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle within the NYSC program is critical, as these principles are fundamental to sustainable environmental management and resource conservation.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established in Nigeria through Decree No. 24 of 1973, following the recommendations of the Adebo Commission and the need to promote national integration after the Nigerian Civil War (Adediran, 2020). The scheme was designed to engage Nigerian graduates in a one-year compulsory service that would encourage patriotism, social cohesion, and community development. Over the decades, the NYSC has evolved to incorporate a wide range of community-oriented projects, including education, health, infrastructure, and civic engagement.
Environmental sustainability, particularly the promotion of the 3Rs principles Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle has emerged as a key concern globally and nationally due to escalating environmental degradation and waste management challenges (Adebayo, 2020). While the NYSC has the potential to play a significant role in promoting these principles, its involvement has historically been limited. According to Okoro and Udeh (2021), corps members have occasionally participated in tree planting exercises, community clean-ups, and awareness campaigns, but these activities are sporadic and lack a systematic framework to ensure long-term environmental impact.
Several studies have reported that while the NYSC has made efforts to involve corps members in community development projects, its role in promoting the 3Rs principles remains limited. Adebayo (2020) asserted that the absence of structured environmental education and practical waste management training during the orientation and service year hinders corps members’ ability to implement the 3Rs principles effectively. Similarly, Eze and Mohammed (2022) stated that limited funding, inadequate technical knowledge, and lack of institutional support reduce the scheme’s capacity to drive meaningful environmental initiatives. It has been affirmed that host communities often lack engagement or cooperation with corps members on sustainability projects, further constraining the impact of environmental programs (Akinola & Obinna, 2023). Researchers contend that the weak monitoring and evaluation framework within the NYSC scheme results in projects that are poorly sustained beyond the service year. On the other hand, the enthusiasm and innovative potential of corps members provide a significant opportunity for embedding sustainable practices in local communities if properly guided and supported (Okoro & Udeh, 2021). The need for a deliberate focus on environmental sustainability within the NYSC program is crucial, given Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges and the global push for sustainable development. This study is set against the backdrop of examining the challenges of the NYSC scheme in promoting the 3Rs principles in Nigeria, with the aim of identifying gaps and proposing strategies to enhance its effectiveness in fostering environmental stewardship among Nigerian youth.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the NYSC scheme has not fully integrated environmental education and waste management training into its orientation and community development programs. Most corps members participate in activities that are unrelated to environmental sustainability, leaving the goals of the 3Rs largely unaddressed. The lack of structured programs that emphasize reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling resources results in the continuation of poor waste disposal practices within NYSC camps and host communities (Adebayo, 2020).
On the other hand, communities hosting NYSC members often show limited cooperation or interest in sustainability-oriented programs, making it difficult for corps members to sustain environmental projects beyond their service year.
Furthermore, the scheme’s authorities rarely assess the long-term impact of corps members’ environmental activities, resulting in projects that fade after the service year ends. Additionally, the absence of collaboration between NYSC and environmental agencies further limits the scheme’s potential to drive behavioral change and policy adoption regarding the 3Rs principles (Akinola & Obinna, 2023). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the challenges of the NYSC scheme in promoting the 3Rs principles in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to o assess the challenges of the NYSC scheme in promoting the 3Rs principles in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to:
- To identify existing system issues within the NYSC scheme that hinder the promotion of the 3Rs principles.
- To assess the level of awareness and knowledge of corps members regarding the 3Rs principles.
- To examine the support provided by the NYSC management and host communities for sustainability initiatives.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of environmental programs and monitoring mechanisms within the NYSC scheme.
- To recommend strategies for improving the integration of 3Rs principles into NYSC activities.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the stated objectives, the research study seeks to answer the following questions:
- What existing system issues within the NYSC scheme hinder the promotion of the 3Rs principles?
- What is the level of awareness and knowledge of corps members regarding the 3Rs principles?
- What support does the NYSC management and host communities provide for environmental sustainability initiatives?
- How effective are the NYSC environmental programs and monitoring mechanisms?
- What strategies can be implemented to improve the integration of 3Rs principles into NYSC activities?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between existing system issues in the NYSC scheme and the promotion of the 3Rs principles among corps members.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between existing system issues in the NYSC scheme and the promotion of the 3Rs principles among corps members.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Existing system issues in the NYSC scheme do not significantly affect the promotion of the 3Rs principles among corps members.
- H1: Existing system issues in the NYSC scheme significantly affect the promotion of the 3Rs principles among corps members.
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will serve as a guide for policymakers, NYSC management, and educational institutions to design programs that will encourage responsible use of resources, reduce environmental degradation, and strengthen community development initiatives.
Furthermore, corps members will acquire awareness and practical skills for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste in host communities. In addition, host communities will benefit from improved environmental practices that will promote sanitation and waste management.
Lastly, researchers and academicians will receive empirical data that will guide future studies on youth programs and environmental sustainability.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on the challenges of NYSC scheme in promoting the 3rs principles in Nigeria. The study covers corps members in Lagos State and evaluates the support provided by NYSC management and host communities.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC): A Nigerian government program established in 1973 to promote national unity, social integration, and community development among graduates (Adediran, 2020).
3Rs Principles: An environmental sustainability concept that emphasizes reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling resources to minimize environmental impact (Okoro & Udeh, 2021).
Orientation Camp: A compulsory training program organized by NYSC for corps members, where they receive induction on civic responsibilities, discipline, and community engagement (Adebayo, 2020).
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