By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reiterated his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the NYSC scheme despite the challenges faced in parts of the country.
He gave the assurance while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Speaking on the theme, “Maintaining the Integrity of the Orientation Course in the Face of Competing Interests,” Brig. Gen. Nafiu acknowledged that while the operating environment remains challenging, the scheme has continued to successfully conduct its orientation programmes nationwide.
He emphasized that the Pre-Orientation Course Workshop provides a platform for the NYSC management and critical stakeholders to evaluate past orientation exercises and explore strategies for improved delivery in future batches.
> “The periodic conduct of this workshop reflects the NYSC’s resolve to continuously refine the orientation course content to better equip corps members for the critical task of nation-building,” he stated.
“This year’s theme is particularly timely and relevant. It reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the orientation programme from negative influences while enhancing its impact on corps members and the nation.”
The Director General stressed that the orientation course must remain a vital platform for instilling discipline, patriotism, and unity — values that he described as non-negotiable in the journey toward national development.
He further affirmed the NYSC’s readiness to deepen collaboration with stakeholders and partners to ensure the success of orientation programmes and other aspects of the scheme, aimed at adding value to the lives of Nigeria’s youth.
While expressing gratitude to the Nasarawa State Government for its continued support to corps members, Brig. Gen. Nafiu also appreciated the Federal Government for its youth-oriented policies and the prompt release of funds that have kept the scheme running smoothly.
He urged participants at the workshop to bring fresh ideas and experiences to the table to help ensure a seamless and impactful Batch B orientation course.
In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Acting Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, described the NYSC as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development since its establishment in 1973 under General Yakubu Gowon’s administration.
Dr. Akabe noted that the scheme has made significant contributions in areas such as community development, healthcare delivery, public awareness campaigns, education, and participation in national processes like elections and censuses — earning both national and international acclaim.
“The NYSC is more than just a programme — it is a foundation of our collective aspirations as a people. We must continue to support it and build on its remarkable achievements across all sectors of national development,” he said.
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the NYSC, Salamatu Muhammad, appreciated stakeholders and participants from across the country for honouring the workshop despite their busy schedules. She encouraged them to be innovative and collaborative in developing ideas to improve the scheme’s operations.