The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced plans to implement reforms aimed at addressing emerging national challenges and repositioning the scheme for stronger, measurable contributions to Nigeria’s development.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, disclosed this on Monday at the opening of the 2026 NYSC Annual Management Conference in Jos, Plateau State.
Nafiu said the scheme has evolved beyond its early nation-building role and must now focus on deliberately deploying its human resources to solve real-world problems.
The key question we face is no longer about relevance but about deliberate deployment – how this collective energy, skill, and patriotism can be systematically harnessed to address current challenges and create sustainable solutions, he said.
He stressed the need for the NYSC to adapt to Nigeria’s changing demographics, security realities, and technological advancements, noting that internal assessments over the past year had revealed the urgency for reform.
Our internal review of the past year has clearly shown that we must embrace change and continuous growth. Management is therefore dedicated to reforms that strengthen systems, enhance service delivery, and align our operations with current realities, Nafiu added.
The NYSC boss urged conference participants to critically review existing operations, share practical experiences, and propose innovative ideas capable of improving the scheme’s effectiveness and national impact.
The NYSC represents a unique pool of human capital within Nigeria, with its substantial numerical strength, consistent yearly intake, and the flexibility of young Nigerians from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, he said.
Nafiu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for their continued support for the scheme.
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Declaring the conference open, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, commended the NYSC for its enduring contribution to national development.
The NYSC has grown to assume a strategic role in our national life and in the nation’s stride towards development, Mutfwang said.
He announced the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area and the allocation of additional land to support agricultural activities at the camp.
I have directed the addition of several hectares of land to the NYSC camp for agricultural purposes. With the pace of work at the camp, I am confident that the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Exercise will hold at the camp, he said.
The governor also acknowledged the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for providing strategic guidance and demonstrating commitment to the NYSC.
The conference, themed “NYSC as a Catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions,” is expected to drive policy-focused discussions and generate actionable ideas to enhance the scheme’s performance nationwide.
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