The Federal Government has approved an additional 50,000 mobilisation slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address the growing number of graduates awaiting enlistment into the national service scheme.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of a remodelled clinic at the Scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters.
According to Nafiu, the extra slots have already been included in the Scheme’s 2026 budget to enable more graduates to participate in the programme. He also revealed that provisions had been made in the Federal Government’s 2027 budget cycle to improve the quality of corps members’ kits, as well as their feeding and transportation allowances.
The NYSC boss stated that the Scheme plans to mobilise about 450,000 prospective corps members this year, while ensuring their safety during service.
“This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective Corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones. We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children,” he said.
Nafiu expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their renewed interest in the NYSC programme and commended the support the Scheme has continued to receive from governments at different levels.
He also acknowledged his predecessor, Yusha’u Ahmed, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for facilitating presidential approval of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance for corps members.
The Director-General explained that the remodelling of the headquarters clinic formed part of efforts by the current management to improve staff welfare and operational efficiency.
Highlighting other achievements recorded under his leadership in the past year, Nafiu said the 2025 staff promotion exercise was conducted to enhance career progression and boost staff morale. He added that peculiar allowances were approved for workers, retirement benefits were paid to disengaged personnel, and a recruitment exercise was carried out to strengthen the Scheme’s operational capacity.
He further disclosed that the organisation secured the donation of a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus to improve mobility for staff and corps members.
Nafiu noted that the management has maintained industrial harmony within the organisation through an open-door leadership approach.
He also said steps were being taken to reposition the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme through strategic partnerships, including collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to digitise the SAED platform.
In addition, the Scheme has partnered with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, among other stakeholders, to strengthen support for its activities.
“We will continue to strengthen infrastructure, deepen youth empowerment initiatives, enhance welfare and security, and uphold the ideals of fairness, unity and national service that define the NYSC,” Nafiu added.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who inaugurated the remodelled clinic, said the upgraded facility would improve staff welfare and enhance productivity.
He described Nafiu as a hardworking Director-General whose initiatives have resulted in notable achievements within a short time in office. The minister also commended the NYSC leadership for prioritising staff welfare.
Olawande assured that the Ministry of Youth Development would continue to support the Scheme in delivering greater impact for Nigerian youths.
“We are working to transform and reform the NYSC. We are doing everything possible to secure the future of our Corps members,” he said.
The minister also advised corps members to avoid travelling at night, urging them to seek shelter at the nearest military barracks, police station or NYSC office if their journey extends into late hours.