By Nkechi Eze
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is charting new strategies to make its Orientation Courses more efficient and impactful, with a focus on delivering greater value to Corps Members.
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of NYSC, outlined the initiative during his keynote address at the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop held in Abuja. The workshop, themed “Strengthening the Orientation Course Framework for Greater Relevance and Impact on National Service,” aims to review past Orientation exercises, generate innovative ideas, and adopt best practices to ensure subsequent courses leave a stronger impression on participants.
According to Nafiu, the Orientation Course forms the foundation for a successful service year and shapes the first impression Corps Members have of both the Scheme and their states of deployment. He emphasized that the workshop would focus on emerging issues affecting participants and the Scheme’s operations.
“This workshop theme reflects our desire to reposition the Orientation Course as a more dynamic, responsive, and impactful phase of the National Service. To achieve this, we must critically review our approaches, fine-tune existing methods, and evolve new strategies,” Nafiu stated.
The Director-General encouraged participants to share experiences and challenges encountered during previous Orientation exercises, particularly in areas such as Corps Member reception, registration, posting for Primary Assignment, and closing ceremonies. He also commended partner agencies and stakeholders for their continued support and urged them to maintain their commitment to the success of the Scheme.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Nura Umar, called on participants to actively contribute ideas for enhancing the success of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course. He stressed the importance of professionalism, commitment to excellence, and openness to innovation as key drivers for achieving desired outcomes.
Participants at the workshop included members of NYSC Top Management, State Coordinators, Camp Directors-designate, Camp Commandants-designate, and representatives from partner agencies.
The workshop reflects NYSC’s ongoing commitment to evolving its systems and ensuring that Orientation Courses are not only efficient but also leave a lasting positive impact on Corps Members nationwide.
