Agency report
The National Youth Service Corps has expressed concern over the increasing rate at which corps members are being rejected by their assigned employers.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen Olakunle Nafiu, expressed this on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State, during the 2025 Annual NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop.
Represented by Gbamisola Salami, the NYSC Deputy Director for the North-Central Zone, Mr Nafiu emphasised that corps employers played a crucial role in shaping the overall experience of corps members during their service year.
“Your organisations provide a platform for corps members to apply their skills, gain practical experience, and develop their professional capacities,” he said.
Nafiu, however, lamented that the rising cases of corps members being rejected by employers often prevent them from gaining valuable experiences at those establishments.
He further noted that the NYSC, during its quarterly inspection exercises, identified several other shortcomings on the part of corps employers.
These include delays—or outright failure—in applying for corps members, failure to provide statutory welfare provisions, and, in some cases, inhumane treatment of corps members.
The DG urged corps employers to recognise the numerous challenges faced by corps members and to create a supportive work environment “that promotes their well-being and productivity.”
Mr Nafiu added that a collaborative relationship between the NYSC and corps employers was essential to strengthening and sustaining the objectives of the scheme.
“By working together, we can ensure that the NYSC programme remains relevant, effective, and impactful in shaping the next generation of Nigerian leaders.” he said.
He expressed appreciation to corps employers who had partnered with the NYSC, saying “Your support and commitment to the NYSC programme are invaluable, and we look forward to a more strengthened collaboration.”
Earlier, the Plateau State Coordinator of the NYSC, Jonathan Yavala, said the purpose of the workshop was to foster a cordial and productive relationship between corps members and the NYSC.
Mr Yavala emphasised the importance of the workshop in bridging communication gaps and ensuring the smooth deployment and engagement of corps members across the state.
