CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                                  Every society of the world be it social political, economic, industrial and etc. calls for innovations and or renovations. A such, the National Youth Service Scheme was conceived at a time when Nigeria more than ever needed a systematic involvement of all. Particularly the youths with their abundant energies and skills in the task of nation building and acquisition of national consciousness. The event that brought about the thirty- six months of civil war (1967-1970) and the after effects lightened the need from a deliberate program to: i. Provide inter- ethnic understanding, integration and national unity. ii. Maximize the country’s human resources, utilization and accelerated reconstruction and development. Hence, the federal military government under Gowon’s administration drew up the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) as the most appropriate programme to put the above mentioned consideration into action. As good order is the foundation of all good things, the National Youth Service Scheme widely acclaimed as one of the best legacies of General Gowon’s administration, since inception, has continued to justify its purpose and existence. One can therefore simply stated that the National Youth Service Corps. Decree 24 of 1973 stated that the scheme is being established. “With a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youth of Nigeria and the promotion of National unity”. The scheme has like any other human organization suffered some set-backs due to a number of constraints in its efforts to attain the desire set goals in social, polices and economic spheres of this great nation Nigeria. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the purpose and role this scheme is expected to play towards the development and unity of Nigeria as a Nation, as well as the extent to which the scheme has really achieve this purpose particularly in Abia State.