By Nkechi Eze
The National Youth Service Corps is set to unveil a standardized protocol for the handling of corps members with disabilities during the Orientation Course and throughout the service year, in a move aimed at deepening inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity within the Scheme.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, in his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Orientation Workshop, themed “Revamping the NYSC Orientation Course Experience as a Foundation for Impactful Service by Corps Members,” held in Jos, Plateau State. The development was contained in an official signed statement issued by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs Caroline Embu.
General Nafiu explained that the initiative forms part of the Scheme’s broader welfare strategies for corps members and goes beyond mere regulatory compliance. According to him, the new protocols are designed to promote dignity, inclusion and equal opportunity, while reinforcing the NYSC’s resolve to leave no one behind and position the Scheme as a humane, progressive and nationally responsive institution. He stressed that the effective handling of corps members with disabilities must be guided by emotional intelligence and empathy in all interactions involving corps members and camp officials.
The Director-General described the Orientation Course as the bedrock of a successful service year, noting that it must continuously reflect national realities, align with global best practices and respond to the evolving dynamics of youth behaviour. He said the course must remain relevant and deliver quality, measurable outcomes that would enable corps members to integrate seamlessly into their host communities and transition into productive and impactful lives beyond national service.
He further noted that it is against this backdrop that the Pre-Orientation Workshop remains critical, as it provides a platform to analyse emerging challenges and develop practical improvements that will genuinely enhance the national service experience while effectively addressing modern realities confronting the Scheme.
General Nafiu commended NYSC officials and partner agencies for their teamwork and commitment, which he said contributed to the tremendous successes recorded during previous Orientation exercises. He charged participants at the workshop to generate ideas that would positively impact corps members through innovation, improved operational efficiency and enhanced institutional intelligence, while also ensuring better camp management and stronger stakeholder engagement.
He expressed optimism that technology-driven engagements and innovative contributions would transform the Orientation Course into a dynamic launchpad for transformative national service, capable of preparing corps members not only to serve, but also to lead, innovate and make meaningful contributions to national development.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, described the theme of the workshop as strategic, noting that it underscores the importance of the Orientation Course in shaping the mindset, conduct and overall experience of corps members. He said the course remains central to instilling discipline, patriotism and other core values of the NYSC in participants.
Mr Umar added that the workshop would review the conduct of the previous Orientation Exercise, identify operational challenges and strengthen inter-agency collaboration, with the overall aim of improving service delivery and ensuring a more effective and rewarding camp experience for corps members nationwide.
