By Isa Isawade
Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General O.O Nafiu has highlighted expectations of the Scheme from employers of corps members which he said include providing them with meaningful job assignments relevant to their qualifications and capabilities, offering appropriate mentorship and supervision.
The DG said this in his keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mallam Isiaka Issa, Deputy Director, South West Area Office 1 at the 2026 Corps Employers’ Workshop in Osogbo, Osun State on Tuesday.
The theme of the workshop is “Fine-tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Enhanced Corps Members’ Welfare and Workplace Experience.”
Gen. Nafiu said: “While the Scheme is responsible for mobilising, deploying, monitoring and providing guidance for corps members, corps employers play an equally important role in creating a conducive environment for productive and eventful service.
“The workplace serves as the primary platform through which corps members acquire practical experience, develop professional competence, and contribute their skills to national development. Consequently, the quality of their workplace experience has a direct bearing on their productivity, morale, personal development and overall perception of the Scheme.
“It is therefore imperative that corps employers provide corps members with meaningful job assignments relevant to their qualifications and capabilities. Equally important is the need to offer appropriate mentorship, supervision and opportunities for professional growth.
“When corps members are effectively integrated into the workplace, they become more motivated, innovative and committed to delivering value to their host organisations and the society at large.
“I wish to reiterate the statutory responsibilities of corps employers as provided under the NYSC Act and relevant policy guidelines. These responsibilities include providing suitable accommodation or money in liu, transportation support, ensuring the welfare and security of corps members, granting them time to participate in community development service activities, and facilitating their attendance at all official NYSC programmes whenever required.”
He commended employers who were already living up to the expectations and urged them to continue to foster workplaces that are respective, supportive, and free of all forms of discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse.
In his address, the Chairman, NYSC Osun State Governing Board and Commissioner For Youth Affairs, Olagunju Moshood Olalekan, who flagged off the workshop spoke in same vein and said the theme of the workshop was timely and underscored the need for stronger synergy among all stakeholders in ensuring that corps members are adequately mentored, protected and provided with an enabling environment to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He added that “Corps Employers remain indispensable partners in the successful implementation of the Scheme. The quality of supervision, mentorship and welfare provided at places of primary assignment significantly shapes the experiences and productivity of Corps Members during their service year.
He urged all employers to provide a safe, conducive and rewarding work environment where corps members can maximise their potentials while acquiring valuable professional experience.
He assured that the Osun State Government remained committed to supporting programmes that promote youth development, national integration and human capital development.
“We shall continue to collaborate with the NYSC in creating opportunities that enable Corps Members to contribute positively to the socio-economic advancement of our dear State.
“I commend the Director-General of NYSC for sustaining this important engagement with Corps Employers across the country. I also appreciate the State Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, and the entire NYSC Osun State Management for their commitment towards strengthening relationships with stakeholders.
“It is my expectation that today’s deliberations will produce practical recommendations that will further improve Corps Members’ welfare, strengthen institutional collaboration and enhance workplace experiences across the State,” Olalekan added.
The State Coordinator, NYSC Osun State, Mr Kubiangha in his welcome address earlier told the gathering that “the Corps Employers’ Workshop remains one of the Scheme’s most important stakeholders’ engagement platforms. It provides an opportunity for us to interact, review our partnership, share experiences, identify challenges and collectively develop practical solutions that will improve the administration of the Scheme.”
According to him, this year’s theme reflects collective commitment to ensuring that every corps member deployed to Osun State serves in an environment that promotes safety, productivity, innovation, professional growth and personal development.
“The success of the NYSC Scheme depends largely on the commitment of Corps Employers. Beyond providing places of primary assignment, employers serve as mentors, supervisors and partners in shaping the future of our young graduates. We therefore solicit your continued cooperation in ensuring adequate supervision, prompt evaluation, proper welfare, security and meaningful engagement of Corps Members throughout their service year.
“I wish to sincerely appreciate the unwavering support of the Government of Osun State under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, through the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs and Chairman of the NYSC State Governing Board. The support of the State Government has continued to contribute immensely to the success of the NYSC Scheme in Osun State,” Kubiangha said.
He urged participants to contribute actively to the discussions, expressing confidence that recommendations from the workshop would further strengthen the corps employers-NYSC partnership and improve the welfare and workplace experience of Corps Members.
The paper, Prioritising the Welfare of Corps Members: Strengthening Engagement Through Stakeholders’ Commitment, delivered by the Assistant Director, Corps Development Southwest Area Office 1, Mr Akinmoyo Abimbola, dwelled majorly on the imperative of prioritising welfare of corps members by all stakeholders.
“Prioritising the welfare of corps members is a shared responsibility that demands the commitment of every stakeholder. A corps member who feels safe, valued, supported and appreciated is more likely to serve with dedication, professionalism and patriotism. Prioritising welfare is therefore not merely an act of compassion; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s youth and national development,” Abimbola argued.
The workshop held simultaneously across the four NYSC zones in Osun State, and across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday.
In attendance were members of the NYSC State Governing Board, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, security agencies, traditional institutions, development partners, members of the media, NYSC officials and corps members.
