By Ogochukwu Isioma
An investigation by WWW.METROWATCHXTRA.COM has uncovered a thriving culture of bribery and extortion at the Edo State Headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Benin City and, more disturbingly, at its Oredo Zonal Office.
The investigation, which spanned weeks and involved multiple interviews with prospective employers and officials of the scheme, revealed a systematic practice where corps members are only posted to organisations willing to “do the needful” — a euphemism for paying bribes.
‘We only attend to those who know how it works’
One NYSC official at the Oredo Zonal Office, Off Ikpokpan Road, GRA Benin City, did not mince words: “We have several requests, as a result, we only answer and attend speedily to those who do the needful for us here,” the top official said, hinting that without bribes, employers’ requests for corps members might never see the light of day.
The official, while lamenting the “inadequacies” in the system, went further to complain about “poor feeding allowances, allocations” and “lack of incentives,” a statement clearly intended to elicit sympathy from prospective employers.
This is despite the allocation of N430.7bn to the scheme in the 2025 budget by the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, the highest budgetary allocation in the past five years.
“We are struggling to keep the office running, and government does not always provide what we need,” the official added. “Sometimes we even use our own money. That is why when employers come, we expect them to understand the situation.”
Employers sidelined for refusing to pay
Interviews with multiple prospective employers paint a grim picture. Many revealed that despite completing all required documentation and registration processes, they were either ignored or frustrated at every turn for refusing to “drop envelopes.”
A business owner within the Benin City metropolis narrated their ordeal to WWW.METROWATCHXTRA.COM: “I submitted my request months ago. I have called, followed up, and even went to their office several times. Each time, they kept giving excuses. Later, someone hinted that unless I settled them, my request would not be treated,” the source said.
Another employer confirmed the trend: “A friend told me what to do. When I finally gave them something, they verified my establishment and posted two corps members to me within days. Before that, they ignored me for weeks,” the source revealed.
Undercover sting confirms allegations
To confirm these allegations, a WWW.METROWATCHXTRA.COM‘s associate posed as a prospective employer seeking corps members. The experience was telling.
After submitting the necessary documents, our partner was immediately told by a top NYSC official that there were “many requests waiting” and that “things may take time.”
While departing the NYSC premises, a staff member accosted our partner, saying: “Oga, if you want us to move faster, you know what to do. We can help you get corps members quickly.”
When asked to clarify, the official smiled knowingly and said: “We don’t say it openly, but you know how it works. You do the needful, and you will not have to wait long.”
A thriving racket at the expense of the system
Our investigation revealed that employers who comply with these unofficial demands enjoy speedy physical verification of their establishments and swift posting of corps members. Those who refuse are either delayed indefinitely or quietly removed from the list.
This racket undermines the NYSC’s mission of equitable deployment and tarnishes the scheme’s integrity. Worse still, it discourages credible employers from engaging with the program and limits corps members’ opportunities for meaningful service.
NYSC yet to respond
Attempts by WWW.METROWATCHXTRA.COM to get official comments from the Edo NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Ben-Ushie Frances Ifeoma, were unsuccessful as at press time.
The revelations, however, raise serious questions about the accountability mechanisms within the scheme, particularly in Edo State. Civil society groups and employers are already calling for a thorough probe into the activities at the state headquarters and its zonal office.