The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has described the scheme as a unique pool of human capital capable of driving national development.
Nafiu made the remark on Monday in Jos at the NYSC 2026 Annual Management Conference, themed “NYSC as a Catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions.”
He said the scheme’s numerical strength, consistent annual intake and the adaptability of young Nigerians from diverse academic and professional backgrounds constituted a unique human capital resource for the country.
“The key question we face is no longer about relevance, but about the deliberate deployment of how this collective energy, skills and patriotism can be systematically harnessed to address current challenges.
“It is meant to create sustainable solutions in a fast-changing socio-economic environment,” he said.
The director-general noted that the annual management conference was not a routine administrative gathering but one of the scheme’s most important internal policy forums.
According to him, the conference provides an opportunity for leadership to review activities over the past year, assess performance and outcomes, and develop strategies to improve service delivery and organizational effectiveness in the year ahead.
Nafiu said the theme of this year’s conference reflected a sober evaluation of both the maturity of the scheme and the demands of Nigeria’s current national situation.
“The NYSC has grown into one of Nigeria’s most enduring public institutions. Having matured, the scheme is now positioned to move beyond symbolic nation-building towards more direct and measurable contributions to national development.
“Management is committed to developing a scheme that is dynamic, responsive to emerging challenges and a leading model for youth organizations in Africa,” he said.
Nafiu commended President Bola Tinubu for sustaining confidence in the NYSC as a tool for promoting national unity and growth.
He also thanked Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for renovating the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area and approving additional land for agricultural activities.
According to him, the land will encourage corps members’ participation in farming and strengthen efforts to promote self-sufficiency and food security.
In his remarks, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who declared the conference open, said the NYSC had assumed a strategic role in Nigeria’s development drive, with visible impacts in education, health and rural infrastructure.
Mutfwang, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, assured the NYSC of the Plateau State Government’s continued support, citing his administration’s commitment to youth development.
It was also reported that the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, joined the opening ceremony virtually.
