The National Youth Service Corps has called for stronger collaboration among governments, corps employers and other stakeholders to improve the welfare and workplace experience of corps members nationwide, in a keynote address delivered on behalf of Director General Olakunle Nafiu by Maxwell Isa at the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop in Lokoja.
Nafiu said effective collaboration remains critical to fulfilling the scheme’s objectives, and that the workshop, themed Fine Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare and Workplace Experience, offered a chance to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new approaches, since while NYSC mobilises, deploys and supervises corps members, employers play a crucial role in creating an environment for productive, rewarding service. He described the workplace as the primary platform where corps members gain practical experience, develop professional competence and contribute to national development, urging employers to assign responsibilities matching corps members’ qualifications while providing mentorship, supervision and room for professional growth. He reminded employers of their statutory obligations under the NYSC Act, including providing accommodation or an allowance in lieu, transportation support where applicable, ensuring welfare and security, granting time for Community Development Service activities and facilitating participation in official NYSC programmes, stressing that welfare extends beyond physical needs to safety, mental wellbeing, inclusion, professional development and protection from discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse. Given how rapidly workplaces are evolving, he said corps members need critical thinking, adaptability, communication, teamwork, leadership and digital skills, urging employers to expose them to practical learning that improves their employability beyond the service year, and reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to strengthening employer engagement through regular monitoring, feedback and collaborative problem solving.
Kogi State NYSC Coordinator Tochi Chris Moneke said the workshop’s theme reflects the shared responsibility every stakeholder carries in ensuring corps members have rewarding service experiences, noting that while NYSC provides the platform and personnel, it is within public institutions, private organisations, educational institutions and NGOs that corps members actually acquire professional skills and contribute to national unity. She identified major challenges facing the scheme, including poor communication between employers and NYSC, delayed requests for corps members, rejection and underutilisation of corps members, inadequate accommodation, insecurity and poor welfare, arguing stakeholders must collectively address these by creating conducive work environments, providing necessary facilities, ensuring prompt allowance payment where applicable and fostering a culture of respect, mentorship and empathy, expressing confidence the workshop would produce practical strategies and actionable recommendations. Federal University Lokoja Vice Chancellor Gbenga Ibileye said the institution currently engages more than 92 corps members across its departments, giving preference to outstanding graduates, treating them as integral staff fully integrated into academic and administrative activities, with exceptional corps members sometimes retained as employees after their service year, reaffirming the university’s commitment to supporting NYSC’s objectives.
