By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reiterated that all Corps Members are protected by a comprehensive insurance package throughout their service year, covering both life and medical care.
Brigadier General Nafiu made the disclosure in Abuja during a visit by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Ndace. He explained that the Federal Government has put in place robust measures to ensure every Corps Member experiences a safe and rewarding service year.
The DG highlighted that the Scheme also intervenes in cases where specific ailments are not covered by standard health insurance. He cited instances where NYSC paid ₦28 million to save the life of a pregnant Corps Member and her unborn child after a spinal cord injury in a road accident, as well as ₦33 million to procure prosthetic arms for another Corps Member involved in a traffic accident while travelling to his primary assignment.
“Since 2004, every Corps Member has been covered by comprehensive insurance, including health and life insurance. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) caters for Corps Members whenever they fall ill,” he said. “From the moment call-up letters are issued, before they even begin their journey from their parents’ homes they are already covered by insurance.”
General Nafiu also urged journalists to verify facts before publication, cautioning against the spread of unverified reports about the Scheme. He explained that NYSC’s posting policy is designed to meet national needs, allowing all States of the federation to benefit from Corps Members’ contributions, particularly in healthcare and education.
He noted that Corps Members’ involvement in national assignments including elections, sensitisation programmes, and population censuses has been widely commended both locally and internationally.
During the visit, the NYSC DG commended the VON Director-General for his leadership and transformative efforts in digital media. In response, Mallam Ndace congratulated General Nafiu on his appointment and praised his modern leadership style, noting the critical support of the NYSC management team.
Ndace highlighted VON’s ongoing collaboration with international media organisations to promote positive narratives about Nigeria and pledged the agency’s readiness to project NYSC’s activities globally. “At the Voice of Nigeria, our mandate is to project Nigeria’s image, perspectives, and values to the global community. We currently broadcast in eight Nigerian languages,” he said.
He further committed VON to partnering with NYSC on content development, youth-focused programming, and amplifying Corps Members’ initiatives nationwide, emphasizing the agency’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s global narrative.
The visit reinforced the NYSC’s stance on ensuring Corps Members’ safety, welfare, and apolitical deployment, while highlighting the strategic collaboration between NYSC and VON in promoting national unity and Nigeria’s image abroad.
