By Harriet Tornguvan
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its commitment to institutional reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery and repositioning the Scheme in line with Nigeria’s evolving development needs.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, gave the assurance at the opening of the 2026 Annual Management Conference (AMC) in Jos, Plateau State. The conference is themed “NYSC as a Catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions.”
General Nafiu noted that while the Federal Government has continued to support and strengthen the Scheme, NYSC managers must rise to the nation’s expectations by sustaining the confidence of the government, corps members, parents and other stakeholders.
He said an internal review of the Scheme’s activities over the past year underscored the need to embrace change, promote sustainable growth and deliver more measurable contributions to national development.
“Having matured, the Scheme is now positioned to move beyond symbolic nation-building towards more direct and impactful roles in national development,” the Director-General stated.
Declaring the conference open, Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Muftwang, commended NYSC managers for upholding the vision of the Scheme’s founding fathers. Represented by his Deputy, Josephine Piyo, the governor noted that since its establishment in 1973, the NYSC has continued to play strategic roles in promoting national unity and socio-economic development.
He highlighted the Scheme’s contributions in education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, sports and youth empowerment, particularly through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Additionally, the governor urged the NYSC management to intensify efforts in equipping corps members with relevant, market-driven skills.
Muftwang also disclosed that his administration has commenced the renovation of facilities at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Mangu and allocated several hectares of land for agricultural activities to support food security initiatives.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande In his goodwill message, he praised the NYSC for its sustained commitment to youth development, noting that the country has benefitted immensely from the Scheme’s interventions over the years.
However, he encouraged conference participants to exchange ideas, share experiences and adopt innovative approaches to improve the effectiveness of NYSC operations.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Nura Umar, described the conference as a vital forum for assessing the Scheme’s performance, identifying challenges and developing sustainable solutions to enhance service delivery.
