By Nkechi Eze
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) to design tailored, sector-specific training programmes for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that their unique mandates are effectively addressed.
In a statement signed by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the DG made the call when he received the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of PSIN, Barrister Imeh Okon, and her team at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
General Nafiu explained that while the institute’s generalized training model was important, it often failed to meet the peculiar needs of certain establishments. He cited NYSC as an example of an organization with specific requirements that could not be fully addressed by a one-size-fits-all training approach.
To bridge this gap, the NYSC helmsman suggested that PSIN should begin by training a limited number of essential personnel from such organizations, who could subsequently serve as ad hoc instructors to the institute during future training programmes. According to him, this strategy would not only improve the quality of training but also enhance the patronage of PSIN by government agencies.
“Development in any society is unattainable without a vibrant public service, and this can only be achieved through consistent training and retraining of personnel. PSIN is key to building viable, competent manpower for Nigeria,” General Nafiu stated.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to staff development, the DG pledged continuous training and capacity building within NYSC to enhance efficiency and service delivery. He also assured Barrister Okon of the Scheme’s willingness to collaborate with PSIN, particularly in areas of mutual interest.
Earlier in her remarks, the PSIN Administrator said her visit was aimed at canvassing for patronage from the NYSC and deepening institutional collaboration. She explained that the institute’s mandate is to build the capacity of Nigeria’s public service through training, research, and innovative programmes designed to boost efficiency and productivity.
“Our vision is to foster collaboration, strengthen institutional relationships, and explore mutually beneficial opportunities between PSIN and NYSC,” Barrister Okon said, adding that the institute currently offers training in leadership, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and customized programmes that corps members and NYSC staff could benefit from.
Barrister Okon, who expressed optimism about closer ties between both organizations, received warm felicitations from the NYSC DG, who congratulated her on her appointment and wished her an impactful tenure in office.
