By Nkechi Eze
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening skills acquisition, value reorientation and civic responsibility among young Nigerians through its Orientation Course programme, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
According to an official signed statement by Director, Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Caroline Embu, the Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the declaration while delivering his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop held in Abuja.
Brigadier General Nafiu stated that the Orientation Course must continue to serve as a transformative platform that equips Corps Members with the skills, values and mindset required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He described orientation camps as more than temporary training centres, stressing that they should remain milestones of impact, citizenship renewal and character development for young Nigerians.
The NYSC Director-General noted that the steady growth in the corps population and the increasing number of Prospective Corps Members underscore the need for state governments to fulfill their obligations to the Scheme by providing functional and well-equipped orientation camp facilities.
“This context underscores the importance of both comprehensive review and inclusive participation in these workshops,” he said.
According to him, managing the growing population of Corps Members presents both challenges and opportunities, adding that aligning orientation programmes with national development priorities would enable the Scheme to achieve greater impact.
“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 stated.
The Director-General also charged camp officials to demonstrate exemplary conduct and professionalism, emphasizing their role as mentors and role models to Corps Members.
He warned against unethical behaviour, stressing that misconduct by either camp officials or Corps Members would not be tolerated under any circumstance.
Brigadier General Nafiu further advocated the constructive use of digital media tools and public engagement platforms to equip Corps Members with responsible digital citizenship skills and enhance their capacity for community mobilization and development initiatives.
“Our orientation programmes should leverage digital media tools constructively and train Corps Members in responsible digital conduct and effective community mobilization,” he said.
The Director-General also highlighted the importance of security consciousness, calling for sustained collaboration with security agencies to guarantee the safety of orientation camps nationwide.
“We must promote security awareness and maintain close cooperation with our security partners to keep our camps safe,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the NYSC Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, said the workshop was convened to assess the successes of previous orientation courses, identify operational gaps and develop strategies for improved future exercises.
He explained that the workshop theme, “Strengthening the Orientation Course to Advance National Priorities and Contemporary Challenges,” reflects the critical role of the Orientation Course in shaping the values, conduct and service experience of Corps Members.
Umar noted that the Orientation Course remains one of the most important components of the NYSC programme, serving as a platform for instilling discipline, patriotism, leadership qualities and national values among participants.
He urged stakeholders at the workshop to critically evaluate past experiences and develop practical recommendations that would enhance camp management, service delivery and the overall effectiveness of the Orientation Course.
The workshop forms part of preparations for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course and is expected to generate policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the NYSC’s contribution to national unity, youth development and nation-building.
