The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the West African College of Physicians (WACP) for its contributions to human capacity development and the delivery of quality medical services across the West African sub-region.
According to an official statement signed by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Director General gave the commendation when the executive members of the WACP paid him a courtesy visit at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
General Nafiu described the College as a critical institution in the training and certification of physicians, noting that its commitment to maintaining high professional standards has continued to strengthen healthcare delivery in the region.
He also called on the College to intensify efforts at discouraging the migration of medical professionals abroad in search of better opportunities, stressing that Nigeria is facing a shortage of medical doctors.
The NYSC Director General assured the WACP of the Scheme’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that promote national development and improve the welfare of citizens whenever the need arises.
General Nafiu also highlighted the achievements of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, saying it has empowered many young Nigerians with vocational and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance. He added that the Scheme’s business ventures, including the production of bread, bottled water and poultry products, have continued to create value and opportunities for Corps members.
Earlier, the Secretary General of the WACP, Dr. Habibu Galandachi, said the delegation visited the NYSC headquarters to seek the Scheme’s support for the College’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting and 50th Anniversary celebration scheduled to hold in Nigeria from October 26 to 28, 2026.
He noted that Nigeria hosts the largest chapter of the WACP in Africa and remains the institution’s biggest beneficiary, expressing the College’s determination to make the golden jubilee celebration a memorable event.
Dr. Galandachi further commended the NYSC for its deployment policy, which posts Corps members outside their states of origin, describing it as a programme that has fostered national integration while exposing young Nigerians to diverse cultures and communities.
He added that the NYSC has also provided valuable practical experience for Corps doctors, serving as an important platform for professional growth through hands-on medical practice across different parts of the country.
