NYSC ends mandatory name change for married female corp members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced a significant update to its relocation policy for married female corp members, eliminating the requirement to change their maiden names to their spouse’s name as part of the relocation process.

This was disclosed in a circular dated November 25, 2024, issued by Abubakar Mohammed, the NYSC Director of Corps Mobilisation. The document, titled “Review of Criteria for Concessional Deployment/Relocation for Married Female Corps Members,” was addressed to NYSC directors, acting directors, and coordinators across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The revised policy highlights that while married female corps members can still apply for relocation or redeployment based on their marital status, they are no longer mandated to adopt their spouse’s surname as a criterion for approval. However, all other requirements for concessional redeployment remain unchanged.

The decision marks a step toward addressing concerns raised by corps members regarding procedural flexibility and inclusivity, ensuring that married female members can retain their maiden names if preferred while still benefiting from marital relocation privileges.

State coordinators have been directed to implement the revised guidelines immediately, reflecting the NYSC’s commitment to easing the service experience for corps members nationwide.