The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration with critical stakeholders in a bid to enhance the overall effectiveness of its Orientation Course and other key operations of the Scheme.
This assurance was given by the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Workshop, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The event served as a strategic platform for NYSC management and other stakeholders involved in the Orientation programme to review the outcomes of the last Orientation exercise and chart a course for future improvements.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, General Nafiu emphasized that the periodic hosting of such workshops reflects the NYSC Management’s determination to ensure the continuous enhancement of camp activities. He noted that the Orientation Course remains central to the core mission of the Scheme, particularly in preparing Corps Members for the critical role of nation-building.
“The Orientation Course must continually serve as a vehicle for instilling discipline, patriotism, and unity—values that are non-negotiable in the context of national development,” the DG said. He further described the workshop as vital in reinforcing the integrity and relevance of the Scheme, especially in the face of modern challenges and competing societal interests.
Declaring the workshop open, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Acting Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, pledged the State’s continued support to NYSC. He praised the Scheme for its instrumental role in Nigeria’s development since its establishment in 1973, especially in areas such as healthcare, community service, education, public awareness campaigns, and participation in key national processes including elections and census exercises.
“NYSC is not just a national programme; it is a cornerstone of our collective aspirations and identity,” the Governor said. “The Scheme deserves the unwavering support of all stakeholders to sustain and deepen its impact.”
Governor Sule also acknowledged the significant contributions of Corps Members to Nasarawa State, particularly in the fields of healthcare delivery, environmental sanitation, education, and socio-economic services. He affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and creating enabling environments where youths can thrive and contribute meaningfully to development.
“It is crucial that we continue to provide unwavering support to the Scheme, building upon its myriad achievements across all sectors of national development,” he said, adding that the NYSC must continue to innovate and deepen its engagement with national growth efforts in order to earn greater admiration from the Nigerian public.
In his introductory remarks, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Ahmed Wada Ikaka, noted that the Orientation Camp represents the first point of contact between Corps Members and the Scheme, and therefore creates a lasting impression that shapes their entire service year. He stressed the importance of making the Orientation experience both impactful and memorable.
Themed “Maintaining the Integrity of the Orientation Course in the Face of Competing Interests”, the workshop brought together key officials and stakeholders to strategize on safeguarding the ideals of the NYSC and ensuring that its Orientation programme remains a beacon of national unity and youth development.
