Abuja: The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, announced that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the mobilisation of an additional 50,000 eligible graduates for the National Youth Service Corps in 2026. This disclosure was made during the commissioning of a remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters, coinciding with Nafiu’s first anniversary in office.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the approval aims to address delays in mobilisation and create more opportunities for graduates awaiting national service. Nafiu emphasized that the government responds to public concerns, and this decision was taken in response to the long waits for mobilisation. The 2026 budget includes provisions for this increase, which will enable the NYSC to mobilise a total of 418,000 corps members that year.
Nafiu highlighted the expansion of the NYSC scheme since its inception in 1973, noting the growth in the number of corps-producing institutions, now exceeding 400 and yielding approximately 600,000 graduates annually. However, not all graduates qualify for the scheme each year due to exemptions and additional training required for certain professionals.
He elaborated on the automated system managing mobilisation and deployment, explaining that it prevents mobilisation until the available pool is depleted. Nafiu also cited institutional delays in uploading Senate-approved lists on the NYSC portal and some graduates declining mobilisation as reasons for postponements. He assured that the scheme avoids sending corps members to high-risk areas and focuses on their safety and welfare.
Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, praised Nafiu’s impactful leadership and noted the significance of the remodelled clinic for staff and corps members’ welfare. Olawande addressed security concerns, advising corps members to avoid night travel and highlighting government efforts to enhance their protection, including insurance coverage.
The NYSC clinic’s renovation is part of broader initiatives to enhance welfare services at the headquarters, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to staff and corps members’ well-being.