The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. OO Nafiu, has marked one year in office, outlining reforms, achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the scheme.

Nafiu assumed office on March 6, 2025, as the 23rd Director-General and said his administration has focused on transparent leadership, improved corps welfare and job creation. He described his vision as centred on discipline, excellence and service to national development.

In a review of his tenure, the DG said his administration prioritised enhanced security and welfare for corps members and staff, promotion of patriotism, workforce development and strategic communication.

Key welfare initiatives included the acquisition of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus to improve staff and corps members’ transportation. The scheme also conducted a 2025 promotion exercise in which 696 senior staff and 139 junior staff were promoted, while 173 staff members were approved for conversion to different cadres and salary grades. More than 168 retired staff received prompt payment of disengagement allowances.

The management also secured approval for the implementation of peculiar allowances for staff effective January 2026 and facilitated an upward review of allowances for corps members’ kits, daily feeding and transport, starting in 2027.

On recruitment and operational efficiency, the scheme employed 850 new staff to strengthen manpower needs. Nafiu said the exercise improved service delivery and internal capacity.

The NYSC also received recognition during the year, winning awards including Best Supporting Chief Executive (2025) from the SERVICOM National Office, Best Performing SERVICOM Unit (Parastatal) and Most Compliant Public Sector on Data Protection (Federal) from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in February 2026.

In July 2025, the scheme hosted the combined President’s NYSC National Honours Award for 2020–2023. The event recognised 210 outstanding former corps members, who were subsequently granted automatic employment in the federal civil service.

Infrastructure support included the donation of two mobile clinics by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in February 2026. The scheme also strengthened partnerships with government agencies, state governments, local government authorities, private sector organisations and NGOs to advance youth empowerment and national integration.

Nafiu said over 936 staff members participated in various workshops, conferences and training programmes aimed at improving professional capacity. He added that the scheme has adopted digital solutions to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness.

He expressed commitment to sustaining reforms while deepening job creation initiatives, entrepreneurship programmes and sociocultural integration to ensure the NYSC remains relevant to Nigeria’s development goals.