The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed its readiness to implement reforms to address emerging national challenges and strengthen its contribution to Nigeria’s development.
The Director General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. OO Nafiu, made the remarks on Monday during the opening of the 2026 NYSC Annual Management Conference in Jos, Plateau State.
Nafiu noted that the NYSC has matured and is now ready to move beyond symbolic nation-building toward more direct and measurable contributions.
“The key question we face is no longer about relevance but about deliberate deployment – how this collective energy, skill, and patriotism can be systematically harnessed to address current challenges and create sustainable solutions,” he said.
He stressed the need for the NYSC to adapt to changing demographics, security dynamics, and technological advancements.
“Our internal review of the past year has clearly shown that we must embrace change and continuous growth. Management is therefore dedicated to reforms that strengthen systems, enhance service delivery, and align our operations with current realities,” Nafiu added.
He urged conference participants to evaluate operations, share experiences, and propose innovative ideas to improve the NYSC’s effectiveness and impact.
“The NYSC represents a unique pool of human capital within Nigeria, with its substantial numerical strength, consistent yearly intake, and the flexibility of young Nigerians from diverse academic and professional backgrounds,” he said.
Nafiu also thanked President Bola Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for their support.
Governor Mutfwang, who officially opened the conference, commended the NYSC for its role in national development.
“The NYSC has grown to assume a strategic role in our national life and in the nation’s stride towards development,” he said.
Represented by his Deputy, Josephine Piyo, the governor announced plans to renovate the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area and allocate additional land for agricultural activities.
“I have directed the addition of several hectares of land to the NYSC camp for agricultural purposes. With the pace of work at the camp, I am confident that the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Exercise will hold at the camp,” he added.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, was also recognized for his strategic guidance and commitment to the scheme.
The conference, themed “NYSC as a Catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions,” seeks to foster informed discussions and generate actionable strategies to boost the NYSC’s performance and national impact.