NYSC to strengthen skills, values empowerment in orientation programme

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills, values, and civic orientation needed to contribute meaningfully to national development as preparations intensify for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known in Abuja during the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop, themed: “Strengthening the Orientation Course to Advance National Priorities and Meet Contemporary Challenges.”

Nafiu described the Orientation Course as a critical platform for shaping responsible citizens and preparing corps members for impactful national service, stressing that it must remain a milestone of transformation, discipline, and patriotism.

He called on state governments to upgrade facilities at orientation camps across the country, noting that adequate infrastructure is essential for the successful implementation of the scheme’s programmes and the welfare of corps members.

According to him, the growing number of graduates and prospective corps members has placed increased pressure on camp facilities, making it imperative for states to fulfil their obligations by providing suitable and functional orientation camps.

“Effectively managing this growing number of corps members presents not only logistical challenges but also an opportunity to expand our developmental impact as a scheme. By aligning orientation content with national priorities, we can ensure that a larger intake yields better results,” Nafiu said.

The NYSC boss emphasised accountability, strategic planning, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders as critical factors in improving the quality of orientation exercises nationwide.

He noted that the pre-orientation workshop provides an opportunity to review previous exercises, identify operational gaps, and develop practical solutions for future programmes.

Nafiu urged camp officials to demonstrate exemplary conduct and serve as role models for corps members.

“Demonstrate good conduct so that corps members can look up to you. Guide and inspire them, and make it clear that unethical behaviour by camp officials and corps members will not be tolerated,” he stated.

The Director-General also advocated the constructive use of digital media platforms in the orientation programme, stressing the need to train corps members in responsible digital citizenship and effective community engagement.

“Our orientation programmes should leverage digital media tools constructively and train corps members in responsible digital conduct and effective community mobilisation,” he said.

On security, Nafiu stressed the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with security agencies and promoting security awareness among corps members and camp officials.

“We must promote security awareness and maintain close cooperation with our security partners to keep our camps safe,” he added.

The NYSC helmsman warned that corps members would not be deployed to states where camp facilities fall below acceptable standards.

“I will not allow corps members to be deployed to states where they will be kept like animals. State coordinators will be held accountable for failing to declare the actual holding capacity of their camps before deployment,” he warned.

He explained that camp capacity assessments must take into account the availability of properly ventilated accommodation, functional sanitation facilities, adequate bunk spaces, and quality mattresses.

Nafiu also called for prudent resource management within the scheme, urging officials to adopt disciplined budgeting practices, eliminate waste, and strengthen partnerships to ensure cost-effective service delivery.

Ahead of future elections, he reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to neutrality, stressing the need to adequately educate corps members on civic responsibilities, electoral processes, and security awareness while maintaining strict adherence to the scheme’s code of conduct.

Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mallam Nura Umar, said the workshop was convened to evaluate past orientation exercises, identify gaps, and strengthen planning for future programmes.

According to him, the orientation course remains a vital tool for instilling discipline, patriotism, national unity, and civic consciousness among corps members.

Umar noted that the workshop’s theme reflects the crucial role of the orientation programme in addressing contemporary challenges while advancing national development priorities.

He also commended the reforms introduced by the Director-General aimed at repositioning the scheme for greater impact and congratulated the NYSC community on the occasion of the scheme’s 53rd anniversary.

The expanded participation of camp directors from both Streams I and II of the orientation exercise, he added, is expected to improve coordination, enhance understanding of management decisions, and eliminate ambiguities in camp administration nationwide.