The Role of the National Youth Service Corps in Promoting National Integration in Nigeria: A Study of Adamawa State

This study examines the contributions of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to national integration in Adamawa State, a multi-ethnic state in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Established in 1973 following the Civil War, the NYSC was designed to foster unity, reconstruct national identity, and bridge ethnic and regional divisions by deploying graduates across state lines for one year of mandatory national service. Using a descriptive survey design, the study collected data from 240 corps members, community beneficiaries, and state NYSC officials in three local government areas. Questionnaires and focus group discussions serve as the primary instruments of data collection. The National Integration Theory and Social Contact Theory jointly provide the theoretical framework, arguing that structured inter-group contact under conditions of equal status promotes tolerance and shared national identity. Findings indicate that corps members deployed in Adamawa reported significant increases in cross-cultural understanding and reduced inter-ethnic prejudice following service completion. Community members also reported positive perceptions of the contributions of corps members to primary health and education services. However, security concerns in the North East have led to restricted deployment patterns that limit the geographic spread of integration benefits within the state. The study recommends enhanced security provisions for corps members in conflict-affected local government areas. Keywords: NYSC, national integration, Adamawa State, national service, inter-ethnic relations.