RismadarVoice Reporters
June 2, 2026
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills, values, and knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Scheme stated that the orientation programme remains a critical platform for preparing Corps Members for responsible citizenship and impactful service to the nation.
Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the remarks while delivering his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Pre-Orientation Course Workshop held in Abuja.
According to him, the orientation course should serve as a transformative experience that promotes national values, citizenship, and personal development among prospective Corps Members.
Nafiu noted that the increasing number of graduates eligible for national service has led to a steady rise in Corps Members’ enrollment, thereby placing greater responsibility on stakeholders to provide adequate infrastructure and support for orientation activities.
He urged state governments to fulfil their obligations to the Scheme by ensuring the provision of functional and conducive orientation camps across the country.
The Director-General explained that the growing Corps population presents both challenges and opportunities for the Scheme, stressing the need to align orientation programmes with national development priorities.
“Managing a larger number of Corps Members comes with logistical demands, but it also provides an opportunity to expand the developmental impact of the Scheme. By aligning orientation content with national priorities, we can achieve greater results,” he said.
He also charged camp officials to uphold high standards of discipline and professionalism, describing them as role models whose conduct can positively influence Corps Members.
Nafiu warned against unethical practices, stressing that misconduct by both camp officials and Corps Members would not be tolerated.
The NYSC boss further advocated the constructive use of digital technology and social media platforms in the orientation programme, noting that Corps Members should be trained on responsible online engagement and community mobilisation.
According to him, digital literacy and responsible communication have become essential tools for national development and social cohesion.
He also emphasised the importance of security awareness within orientation camps and called for sustained collaboration with security agencies to guarantee the safety of participants throughout the exercise.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, said the workshop was organised to evaluate previous orientation exercises, identify challenges, and develop strategies for improved service delivery.
He explained that the theme of the workshop, “Strengthening the Orientation Course to Advance National Priorities and Contemporary Challenges,” reflects the critical role of the orientation programme in shaping the character, discipline, and service experience of Corps Members.
Umar noted that the orientation course remains a vital component of the NYSC programme, helping to instil patriotism, discipline, and national values among young Nigerians.
He urged participants to engage actively in the discussions and contribute ideas that would enhance camp administration and improve future orientation programmes.
