Unemployed Corp Member Seen Begging for Job on Oshodi Bridge, Sparks Online Outcry

A heartbreaking scene unfolded in Lagos as a young Nigerian graduate, months after completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was spotted on the Oshodi pedestrian bridge holding a placard and begging for a job.

The moment was captured and shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by user @fw_cas, who expressed concern over the growing number of unemployed graduates in the country. He wrote:

“Met this corper on Oshodi Bridge today, crying out after NYSC with no job. Let’s stand together for #JusticeForNigeriaGraduates! Help a graduate—share their story! 🇳🇬 #SupportOurYouth.”

In the photo, the visibly distressed corps member held a cardboard sign that read:
“If school isn’t a scam, after months of finishing service (NYSC), I haven’t gotten a job.”

The post quickly went viral, igniting public outrage and drawing attention to Nigeria’s persistent youth unemployment crisis. Many users expressed empathy and frustration with the current education-to-employment system, which they described as broken and disheartening.

Some reactions include:

@oluwamuyiwa04: “A lot of ex-corpers are seriously seeking for jobs. Why will someone go to school, go for service immediately, and the next thing they will tell you is you must have 3-5 years experience while applying for jobs?”

@r9mseyy: “Talking about jobs… the employment system of this country isn’t favorable. Most jobs offer payrolls that don’t align with the current economy.”

@AbolanleAyobami: “He is absolutely right. This government is responsible for all the unemployment among youths nowadays.”

@Ire_mi_de_2708: “When I showed how sad I was for not getting a job after my service, some thugs came to chase me from Oshodi terminal. They said no one sent my father to send me to school and tore my cardboard.”

@TizzedTizzy: “He used to be my coursemate. Very smart guy. One of our top students.”

The incident has become symbolic of the larger struggle facing Nigerian graduates, many of whom battle long periods of joblessness after completing their education and national service.