The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has signalled its readiness to undergo reforms aimed at addressing emerging challenges and strengthening its contribution to national development.
The Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known on Monday at the opening of the 2026 NYSC Annual Management Conference in Jos, Plateau State.
Nafiu said the NYSC had reached a stage of maturity and must move beyond symbolic nation-building to more measurable and impactful interventions. “The key question before us is no longer about relevance, but about deliberate deployment—how our collective energy, skills and patriotism can be systematically harnessed to create sustainable solutions,” he said.
He noted that changing population dynamics, security concerns and technological advancement had made reforms inevitable, adding that an internal review of the scheme’s operations highlighted the need for continuous adaptation. According to him, management is committed to strengthening systems, improving service delivery and aligning operations with present realities.
The NYSC boss urged participants at the conference to critically review existing processes, share experiences and propose innovative ideas that would enhance the scheme’s effectiveness. He described the NYSC as a unique pool of national human capital, drawing from the diverse academic and professional backgrounds of young Nigerians across the country.
Nafiu expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for their continued support of the scheme.
Governor Mutfwang, who declared the conference open through his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, commended the NYSC for its strategic role in national development. He announced the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area and the allocation of additional land to support agricultural activities.
“I have directed that several hectares of land be added to the camp for agricultural purposes. With the pace of work ongoing, I am confident that the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Exercise will take place at the camp,” he said.
The conference also acknowledged the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for his guidance and commitment to strengthening the NYSC scheme.
