The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, says the scheme is addressing delays in corps mobilisation through reforms and stakeholder engagement.
Nafiu disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the delays are caused by multiple factors, many of which are beyond the scheme’s direct control, particularly issues related to corps-producing institutions and data management.
“It is not a single factor; delays often come from late uploads by institutions and errors in the data submitted to us,” he said.
He explained that the expansion of tertiary institutions has significantly increased the number of graduates awaiting mobilisation, complicating coordination and processing. From about 10 institutions at inception, Nigeria now has over 120 universities, polytechnics, and monotechnics, with additional graduates coming from abroad.
Institutions often delay uploading graduates’ details due to internal administrative processes, such as result approvals and batching submissions. Inconsistencies in candidates’ data, especially name variations, also create verification delays with government databases.
“We rely on data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and National Identity Management Commission. When discrepancies arise, the system flags errors, which must be corrected by the individuals concerned,” Nafiu said.
Funding constraints also affect mobilisation, as the scheme operates within an annual budget tied to a fixed number of corps members. While about 650,000 graduates were projected for mobilisation, government approval currently covers 400,000, with an additional 50,000 approved for 2026.
“In spite of these constraints, we are engaging government and institutions to improve the process and reduce waiting time for prospective corps members,” he said.
The scheme has restructured its pre-mobilisation process, including mandatory training workshops for student affairs officers in tertiary institutions. These workshops aim to improve understanding of mobilisation procedures and reduce errors in data submission.
Institutions are now required to notify NYSC promptly of changes in student affairs personnel to avoid disruptions. Nafiu cited a recent case where five institutions failed to upload student data due to personnel changes, affecting mobilisation timelines. The scheme intervened by extending deadlines and engaging the institutions to ensure students were not disadvantaged.
On online registration, Nafiu acknowledged network challenges and delays at registration centres, attributing them to infrastructure limitations beyond NYSC control. The scheme is working on reforms, including plans for remote registration from home.
“Our goal is to reach a point where prospective corps members can complete registration from their homes without the need for physical presence,” he said, adding that ongoing digitisation in the education sector would further improve mobilisation.
Regarding corps members’ allowance, Nafiu said the recent increase from N33,000 to N77,000 reflects government’s commitment to their welfare, guided by the national minimum wage. He stressed that allowance alone should not define welfare, and that states and Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs) are expected to provide additional support, including stipends and accommodation.
Nafiu also highlighted posting challenges, noting that many corps members prefer urban areas over rural assignments. He explained that deployment is based on national needs and opportunities, not strictly on graduates’ fields of study. Rural postings, he said, offer skill development and community impact opportunities that many overlook.
The NYSC boss reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to improving corps members’ welfare, equitable deployment, and national integration amid evolving challenges.
