…..As Minister Pledges More Support
Ayuba Sanusi
THE Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has said reforming the Scheme’s mobilisation process has become necessary in the contemporary world.
Speaking today in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop, the DG added that NYSC Management recognises that the world is changing rapidly and the Scheme must adapt its strategies to reflect the current realities.
General Nafiu said that the theme “Reforming Corps Mobilisation in the Contemporary Nigerian Society: Challenges and Prospects”, chosen for the workshop is apt, considering the fact that a lot of measures are being put in place to ensure that NYSC continues to remain relevant in delivering on its core mandate of fostering national unity, integration and holistic development.
He stated further that by leveraging technology, security partnerships, infrastructure investment and skill-based deployment, NYSC would enhance efficiency, improve prospective and serving corps members’ experiences and sustain the Scheme’s contributions to national development.
He implored the workshop participants drawn from all corps-producing institutions from every part of Nigeria to engage in robust discussions and brainstorm the challenges and prospects of the NYSC mobilisation process. 
“We will examine the intersections of youth development, national service, and societal transformation while exploring innovative strategies to harness the energy and ideas of Nigerian youth to build a more peaceful, just and prosperous society”, the DG said.
The Director, Corps Mobilisation, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, in his introductory remarks, said the NYSC Pre-Mobilisation Workshop is essential for bringing together the NYSC, Corps Producing Institutions and other key stakeholders to brainstorm and improve the Scheme’s mobilisation efforts.
He added that NYSC has made remarkable progress in reducing challenges due to innovative approaches and better collaboration.
“As we prepare for another batch of NYSC mobilisation, we must confront the pressing issues affecting our corps members. This process is vital for our nation’s growth, but it is fraught with challenges, especially the ongoing problem of dishonest enrollments. We must, therefore, stay alert and be proactive.
“We must continue to harness the power of technology to unlock innovative solutions to the challenges we face in the mobilisation process”, he said.
The Minister for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, in his goodwill message, said the relevance of NYSC cannot be overemphasized, adding that all shareholders must re-strategize to prepare the youths for a better life after the service year.
Similarly, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Youth and Sports, Hon. Ango A. Suleiman, in his address, acknowledged the giant strides of corps members deployed to the FCT and promised an enabling environment for the Scheme.
“We will continue to partner with the Scheme to see to the successful implementation of its core objectives”, he said.
Eighteen-Eleven Media