The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) announced that collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will simplify biometric verification for prospective corps members nationwide. The partnership aims to enable seamless registration through technology-driven reforms designed to improve service delivery and reduce bottlenecks in the mobilisation process.
NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu said this in Abuja on Thursday, ahead of the scheme’s 53rd anniversary scheduled for May 22. He explained that the partnership is part of efforts to deepen digital reforms within the scheme, noting that registration, mobilisation, payments, and record-keeping processes have largely been digitized to enhance operational efficiency across Nigeria.
He stated, “We are trying to move with technology so that registration will be easier for youth corps members. Some go to register and wait for hours in cybercafes or shops. We want a system where they can log in from home, provide details, and register. We are working with NIMC to get biometrics.”
Nafiu added that NYSC members currently use electronic identity cards accessible via mobile phones, and verification procedures are being further streamlined through integration with the national identity database to reduce administrative delays nationwide.
He attributed mobilisation delays to increasing graduate numbers, budget constraints, inadequate orientation camp facilities, and delays by tertiary institutions in forwarding approved Senate lists of prospective members. The director-general noted that the Federal Government increased NYSC’s annual mobilisation quota from 400,000 to 450,000 members. However, rising enrollment continues to strain camps, staffing, and operational funding.
He highlighted that the scheme, established in 1973 with about 2,346 youth corps members, now manages over 450,000 participants with fewer than 6,000 officials amid growing administrative and infrastructure challenges. Inadequate orientation camp facilities remain a major concern, as some camps cannot accommodate the increasing number of members posted to participating states.
Nafiu commended Lagos, Gombe, Adamawa, Enugu, and Osun for constructing and renovating projects to improve orientation camp capacity. He added, “The Federal Government pays allowances and funds orientation activities, but state governments are expected to provide good camp facilities. Local governments should also support with corps lodges and facilities.”
He concluded, “Some governors feel that donating rice, cows, or money is enough, but NYSC is engaging stakeholders to improve support for activities across Nigeria.”
