By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on employers across ministries, departments, agencies and the private sector to create enabling environments that will allow Corps Members to fully deploy their skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Caroline Embu, the DG made the call during the launch of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) innovation space tagged “idea2impact,” held at the NITDA headquarters in Abuja.
Nafiu stressed that Corps Members are solution providers who require proper mentorship, guidance and effective leadership to unlock their innovative potentials. He commended NITDA for creating a platform that allows young Nigerians in the service year to demonstrate creativity and contribute to practical solutions for societal challenges.
He described the “idea2impact” initiative as a strategic opportunity for Corps Members to showcase their ingenuity, noting that the NYSC remains a relevant institution that continues to evolve through technological integration. He also disclosed that the Scheme has digitized Corps Members’ identity cards alongside other innovations introduced since he assumed office.
“The youths we have at the NYSC are solution providers and I want to challenge ministries, departments and agencies, private entities and other establishments to tap into their wealth of experiences and skills to create solutions for the larger society,” he said.
He further expressed confidence in the future of the Scheme, urging stakeholders to support initiatives that expose Corps Members to real-life problem-solving opportunities.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the agency remains committed to empowering young Nigerians to adapt to evolving trends in the information and communication technology space.
He emphasised the importance of skills acquisition, strategic career planning and self-development for Corps Members ahead of their transition into the labour market, noting that visibility and initiative are key to professional success.
Reflecting on his own experience as a former Corps Member and Computer Science graduate, Inuwa encouraged youths to maximise the opportunities available during their service year, adding that NITDA has continued to provide platforms for innovation and capacity development.
According to him, some Corps Members have already developed solutions that are being deployed internally within the agency, including contributions to its artificial intelligence transformation agenda. He also noted that exceptional Corps Members may be retained based on performance and impact.
