NYSC, employers strategise to improve Oyo Corps members’ welfare, security

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State on Thursday convened a strategic meeting with employers of Corps members as part of efforts to enhance the welfare, security, and productivity of Corps members in the state.

The meeting, held at the NYSC Secretariat in Ibadan, was part of the 2025 Corps Employers Workshop organised by the scheme to deepen collaboration and address existing challenges affecting the well-being of serving Corps members.

In his opening remarks, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General O. O Nafiu, underscored the importance of strategic collaboration between the NYSC and Corps employers.

The DG, who was represented by Mrs Christiana Afolayan from the South-West area office, noted that the workshop provides a vital platform for reviewing policies, bridging communication gaps, and addressing emerging challenges in Corps member deployment and engagement.

The Director-General listed several critical responsibilities of Corps employers, including providing accommodation or stipends in lieu thereof, ensuring safety and proper induction, assigning appropriate roles, offering effective supervision, and releasing members for statutory activities like Community Development Service (CDS).

He lamented that some employers had abandoned these duties, leading to truancy, service evasion, and a dip in work ethics. He also pointed to employer complicity in cases of absenteeism, poor supervision, and rejection of Corps members, which undermines the integrity of the scheme.

To remedy the situation, Nafiu urged stakeholders to rebuild trust, strengthen partnerships, and harness online platforms for better communication.

He said, “The gains from previous workshops have shown that the NYSC/Corps Employers Workshop is an essential tool for decision-making. The workshop is always the occasion to engage employers in strategic communication, harmonisation of views and an opportunity to explain policy directions.

“From addressing grey areas to enhancing healthy relationships between our various organisations, the NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshops always produce ideas and recommendations that are factored into the operations of the scheme.

“The management of the scheme believes that since the actions of Corps members impact directly on you and your organisation. There is a need to develop more effective formats of communication among our organisations, come up with implementable solutions to the numerous problems challenging corps administration, and provide viable and implementable recommendations.

“Duty beckons on you to rise in partnership with the management of the NYSC scheme to articulate the way forward that would enhance our operations and strengthen the roles institutions and partners play to return corps members back on the road to satisfactory service to the nation, self-actualisation, and self-reliance. It is a duty we collectively owe the nation and the youth.”

With the theme ‘Strengthening NYSC/Corps Employers Partnership for Improved Benefits’, the Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Kayode Peters, described the scheme as a proven platform for national integration, youth capacity development, and grassroots transformation.

He noted that the quality of engagement between Corps members and their employers significantly influences the success and impact of the NYSC programme across the country.

“This workshop offers us all a golden opportunity to evaluate how far we’ve come, identify gaps, and chart actionable paths to better collaboration and mutual gains,” Peters said.

He expressed appreciation to organisations that have consistently provided accommodation, supervision, and mentorship for Corps members, saying their efforts have significantly influenced the career paths of many young Nigerians.

While acknowledging the support, the coordinator also pointed out some lingering issues on both sides that require urgent attention, including underutilisation, poor supervision, welfare neglect, absenteeism, and misconduct.

“These are issues we must honestly address during this workshop. Employers must help uphold the core values of the NYSC, selfless service, patriotism, and integrity, by ensuring a conducive and productive environment for Corps members,” he added.

On her part, the Oyo state commissioner of youth and sports, who doubles as the NYSC governing board chairman, Wasilat Adegoke, encouraged the employers to provide veritable platforms for the Corps members to learn and grow to be better versions of themselves.

She said, “This vision cannot be fully realised without the crucial role played by Corps employers, Government ministries, private organisations, schools, hospitals and NGOs who provide these Corps members with platforms to learn, serve and grow.

“This occasion is sine qua non as it provides us with the opportunity to deliberate on ways to improve the performance and effective operations of the NYSC scheme, especially how the synergy between NYSC and Corps employers can be enhanced for both parties and the nation to benefit more profoundly.”

The workshop ended with a call to action for all stakeholders to commit to the welfare, supervision, and engagement of Corps members as a matter of national importance.