The National Youth Service Corps has declared its readiness to implement reforms aimed at addressing emerging challenges in the country and strengthening its contribution to national development.
The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 NYSC Annual Management Conference held in Jos, Plateau State.
Nafiu said the scheme has matured and is now positioned to move beyond symbolic nation-building towards making more direct, practical, and measurable contributions to national growth.
According to him, the issue before the scheme is no longer about relevance but about how to deliberately deploy its vast pool of human resources to respond to contemporary challenges and deliver sustainable solutions.
He explained that the NYSC must adapt to changing population trends, security realities and technological advancement if it is to remain effective and impactful.
Nafiu said internal reviews conducted by the management over the past year revealed the need for continuous growth, innovation, and reform.
He noted that the management of the scheme is committed to reforms that will strengthen institutional systems, improve service delivery, and align NYSC operations with present-day realities.
Describing the NYSC as a unique national asset Nafiu said the scheme represents a powerful pool of human capital given its large numerical strength annual intake and the diverse academic and professional backgrounds of corps members.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for their continued support for the NYSC.
Declaring the conference open, Governor Mutfwang commended the NYSC for its sustained contributions to national unity and development, noting that the scheme has assumed a strategic role in Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, announced the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area, as well as the allocation of additional land to the camp for agricultural activities.
He said several hectares of land have been approved for agricultural purposes and expressed confidence that the 2026 Batch B Orientation Exercise would hold at the camp given the pace of ongoing work.
