The decision of the Osun State Government to deploy 1,750 members of the Imole Youth Corps to primary and secondary schools across the state has drawn strong criticism from civil society organizations and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.
In separate but similarly toned statements, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) and NANS described the move as “misguided,” alleging it undermines the integrity of the education system and ignores the plight of qualified but unemployed teachers.
The Osun State Government had earlier announced that the Imole Youth Corps members, initially recruited for civic engagement and community service, would now serve as temporary teachers in schools facing acute staff shortages. The initiative is seen as part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s broader strategy to address personnel gaps in the education sector amid fiscal constraints.
However, the move has been met with stern opposition from NANS, which labeled it “a painful betrayal” of thousands of applicants who had earlier paid application fees, participated in screening, and waited in vain for teacher recruitment that was never concluded.
“Teaching is not a fallback job for the underemployed or a stopgap for government inefficiencies,” said Comrade Oluwole Olutunde Aboke (O’Destiny), Secretary General of NANS Zone D. “It requires passion, proper training, certification, and continuous professional development—none of which were part of the original criteria for Imole Youth Corps recruitment.”
NANS also questioned the motive behind the initiative, alleging political undertones just months before the next election cycle. It demanded that the government immediately reverse the redeployment and initiate a transparent, merit-based teacher recruitment exercise.
Similarly, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens expressed deep worry over what it termed a dangerous precedent in the state’s educational system. The group questioned the rationale behind deploying corps members—some allegedly without teaching qualifications—when many vetted, tested, and qualified candidates remain unemployed.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Sodiq Rauf, spokesperson of the group, the coalition posed critical questions to Governor Adeleke, asking:
Whether the funding for the corps members’ deployment would come from withheld local government allocations,
“What happened to the N5,000 paid by each applicant for the previous teacher recruitment exercise,
“And what tangible policies have been implemented in the education sector since federal allocations to the state were increased over two years ago? Mr Governor, sir, we need answers,” the statement read. “The use of untrained and uncertified individuals as teachers will undoubtedly mar the educational development of Osun State.”
The CCNC urged the Commissioner for Education to advise the governor appropriately and demanded an emergency review of the state’s educational policy direction. It warned that using temporary corps members as teachers could trigger long-term harm to learning outcomes and trust in public education.
Both groups also expressed concern over the broader implications for student morale and academic performance, insisting that schools require professional educators, not political expediency. They emphasized that on-the-job training cannot replace proper pedagogical preparation.
The students association and the CCNC called for immediate reversal of the Imole Corps deployment to classrooms, transparent account of education-related funds and allocations and long term plan for quality education in the State.”
While acknowledging the financial pressures on the state, the CSOs insisted that education must remain a top priority. “The citizens of Osun State are losing faith in the governor’s ability to fulfill his electoral promises,” the coalition warned, urging other stakeholders—including the media, consultancy firms, parents, and the State House of Assembly—to speak out in defense of quality education.
As public scrutiny intensifies, it remains to be seen whether Governor Adeleke’s administration will revisit the policy or forge ahead with the Imole Youth Corps deployment amid mounting criticism.
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