The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has called on Corps Members to channel their intellect, creativity, and energy towards the development of Nigeria, stressing that the responsibility of building a prosperous nation rests largely on the younger generation.
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Caroline Embu, Brigadier General Nafiu made the call while addressing Corps Members deployed to Bauchi State for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I service year at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
The NYSC Director-General urged the Corps Members to take pride in their country and actively contribute to its growth, noting that Nigerians must assume responsibility for nation-building rather than expecting others to do so.
He emphasized that young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population, have a pivotal role in sustaining and improving on the achievements of previous generations.
“We all desire a beautiful country—a nation where we can raise our families and proudly call home, a country where things work efficiently. The question is: who will build this country for us? We must work hard to sustain and improve on the legacy of our forefathers,” Nafiu said.
The Director-General explained that the Federal Government established the NYSC in 1973 as part of the post-civil war policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction initiated by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to foster national integration and unity among young graduates.
He noted that the scheme was designed to enable graduates to serve outside their states of origin, thereby promoting national cohesion and strengthening peaceful coexistence across the country.
According to him, the vision of building an egalitarian and prosperous nation can only be realized through unity among Nigerians regardless of ethnic, regional, or religious affiliations.
“The essence of NYSC is to foster national unity, cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. As you sit in this hall today, you will observe that those seated beside you come from different parts of the country. This diversity is one of the Scheme’s greatest strengths,” he stated.
Brigadier General Nafiu also highlighted ongoing government efforts to empower young Nigerians through access to quality education and vocational training, arguing that many citizens underestimate the support available to them.
He pointed out that government subsidies in tertiary education and investments in skills development centres have created opportunities for millions of youths to acquire knowledge and practical skills needed for national development.
The NYSC boss encouraged Corps Members to participate actively in all orientation camp activities and maximize the opportunities provided through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
He urged them to acquire entrepreneurial skills capable of making them self-reliant and employers of labour, noting that governments across the world are not the primary providers of jobs but facilitators of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Nafiu advised Corps Members to explore small-scale enterprises such as ICT services, fashion design, baking, barbing, and hairdressing, among other ventures that can generate employment and contribute to economic growth.
The Director-General further cautioned Corps Members against the misuse of social media, urging them to verify information before sharing or commenting on issues online.
“You must refrain from any act that is detrimental to the peace, unity, and progress of our dear nation. Before posting, sharing, or commenting on any issue on social media, ensure that you verify the facts thoroughly. Do not rush to conclusions based solely on information circulated online,” he advised.
Earlier, the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Kufre Umoren, disclosed that 1,074 Corps Members, comprising 573 males and 501 females, had been successfully registered at the orientation camp.
He commended the Corps Members for their discipline, patriotism, and commitment to camp activities, expressing confidence in their ability to make meaningful contributions during the service year.
