Legal Aid Community Development Service (CDS) is a creation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria. The CDS exists in many communities in Nigeria, and its aim is to provide legal aid services in those communities through campaigns, sensitisations etc. Participation in Community Development Service is part of the requirements for passing out from the Corps. The NYSC is a mandatory one-year youth service programme that every Nigerian graduate, whether from a university or polytechnic in Nigeria or abroad, must undertake before becoming employable in Nigeria. Thus, a graduate who is not above the age of 30 at the time of completing his or her studies must partake in the service to obtain a discharge certificate. Alternatively, a graduate may obtain an exemption certificate where the conditions are met.
