By Harriet Tornguvan
As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) prepares to celebrate its 53rd anniversary, a former Director-General of the Scheme, Maharazu Ismaila Tsiga, has called on the current leadership to sustain the organisation’s longstanding achievements in promoting national unity and development.
Tsiga, a retired Brigadier General, made the appeal when he received the incumbent Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, during a courtesy visit to his residence in Kaduna.
He emphasised the need for continuity in advancing the Scheme’s core mandate of fostering unity, integration and socio-economic development across Nigeria. According to him, the NYSC has remained a critical institution in nation-building, largely due to the dedication of its workforce and Corps Members.
The former helmsman commended staff and participants of the Scheme, describing them as the “backbone and spine” of NYSC’s success over the years. He noted that their commitment has helped sustain Nigeria’s unity while contributing significantly to development across various sectors.
Tsiga further urged the management of the Scheme to prioritise the welfare of Corps Members to enhance their morale and productivity during service. Reflecting on his tenure between 2009 and 2011, he highlighted the introduction of the “War Against Poverty (WAP)” initiative, which provided Corps Members with financial support of N250,000 to establish small-scale businesses and promote self-reliance after service.
Earlier, Nafiu lauded his predecessor for his impactful leadership and contributions to the growth of the Scheme. He explained that his visit was part of a broader initiative to engage former Chief Executives of NYSC in order to benefit from their experience and institutional knowledge.
The current Director-General disclosed that efforts are ongoing to expand the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, aimed at tackling graduate unemployment. He added that increased partnerships with relevant stakeholders have boosted the programme through technical expertise, funding and material support for Corps Members.
However, Nafiu identified the rising number of graduates eligible for national service as a major challenge facing the Scheme. He attributed the surge to the growing number of Corps-producing institutions across the country.
To address this, he revealed that the Federal Government has approved an increase in the number of prospective Corps Members to be mobilised in 2026 to 450,000.
The NYSC, established in 1973, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting national cohesion and youth development, even as stakeholders call for sustained reforms to meet emerging challenges.
