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Tag: NYSC

  • Army urges NYSC employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare for maximum productivity

    Army urges NYSC employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare for maximum productivity

    The Nigerian Army has called on employers of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to prioritise their welfare and create a supportive work environment to ensure optimal productivity.

    The charge was given in Katsina on Thursday by the Commander of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General B.O. Omopariola, who was represented by Lt. Col. A.A. Yamman, at the 2025/2026 NYSC Corps Employers Workshop.

    The one-day workshop, themed “Place of Educational Intelligence in Managing Corps Members at the Workplace for Maximum Productivity,” brought together corps employers and NYSC stakeholders to share ideas and improve scheme operations.

    “Employers must take full responsibility for the welfare, comfort, and social needs of corps members,” Omopariola said. “They should be treated as our own children and given the right environment to enhance their skills and capacities.”

    Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, Mr. Garba Fagge described the event as a vital platform for strategic communication and policy clarification between the scheme and corps employers.

    He emphasised the workshop’s role in aligning operational goals and strengthening the partnership between NYSC and its host organisations.

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    “This gathering allows for the harmonisation of views, clarification of policies, and exchange of experiences,” he said. “Our collaboration with employers is built on mutual understanding and clearly defined roles.”

    Also speaking, the NYSC State Coordinator in Katsina, Alhaji Ibrahim Saidu, highlighted the scheme’s tradition of periodic engagement with stakeholders to ensure an informed and responsive approach to its operations.

    The event concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening corps members’ welfare and enhancing the impact of their service across the nation.

  • NITDA, GetBundi collaborate to equip NYSC members with digital skills

    NITDA, GetBundi collaborate to equip NYSC members with digital skills

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and GetBundi Education Technology have commenced the phase 2 of the training of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on digital skills.

    The training, which focuses on Graphics, Digital Marketing and Cybersecurity, comes under NITDA’s ongoing Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL) which aims to propel Nigeria to a 70 per cent digital literacy level by 2027.

    Last year, NITDA and GetBundi Education Technology began a collaboration that saw GetBundi develop a digital literacy framework and implementation model in the six competency areas of the DL4ALL.

     As part of the collaboration, GetBundi also trained selected corps members under the pilot phase of the DL4ALL initiative. The corps were thereafter onboarded as Digital Literacy Champions and became NITDA ambassadors, training and sharing their knowledge in their primary places of deployment or assignment.

    In return for the corps members’ support for DL4ALL, NITDA and GetBundi have now partnered to equip the corps members with 3 skill sets that will make them instantly employable.

    NITDA’s DL4ALL initiative aims to train a critical mass of Nigerians in the informal sector in foundational digital literacy skills to equip them with the necessary tools to access and utilise online resources for education, employment, and financial services safely; protect themselves online from cyber threats and misinformation; communicate and collaborate effectively using digital tools; and develop the digital fluency required for many in-demand jobs.

    NITDA had said the initiative would be implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach that would leverage the expertise from reach of a diverse group of actors from across the Nigerian landscape.

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    Earlier, GetBundi had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to empower students across federal, state and private colleges of education with the right digital skill sets for tomorrow’s classroom.

    The collaboration, aimed at training 2,900 students from 29 Federal Colleges of Education in advanced digital literacy and key skills like Graphics, Excel, Video Editing, and Digital Marketing in the pilot phase, was part of national efforts to attract more youths into teaching careers and build a sustainable educational system. 

    It also signalled NCCE’s recognition of the critical role of technology in catalysing educational and personal growth of individuals as well as the centrality of digital literacy and digital skills in achieving successful digital transformation in Nigeria.

  • NYSC to deploy more ICT tools, train officers amid rising cyber threats — DG

    NYSC to deploy more ICT tools, train officers amid rising cyber threats — DG

    The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has said the scheme will intensify the deployment of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) tools to improve its mobilisation process.

    He added that the NYSC would also continue training its mobilisation officers on key areas such as data verification, error resolution, emergency response, and cybersecurity, particularly for staff handling sensitive information.

    Nafiu, who made this known in a keynote address at the 2025 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilisation workshop held on Monday in Abuja, noted that the initiative is in response to the growing threats and attacks targeting the NYSC mobilisation system.

    The workshop, themed “Strengthening the NYSC Mobilisation Process Through Improved Technology and Collaboration”, brought together key stakeholders to discuss new strategies for reform.

    According to the DG, reforming the mobilisation process has become imperative due to the evolving nature of society, stressing that NYSC must adapt its operations to meet current realities.

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    He said, “We at NYSC recognise that by leveraging technology, forging stronger partnerships, investing in infrastructure, and deploying relevant skills, we can boost efficiency, enhance the experience of both prospective and serving Corps Members, and maintain the Scheme’s role in national development.

    “I therefore urge all our partners and collaborating agencies, particularly the corps-producing institutions, to speed up the process of technological update to an acceptable level that makes collaboration and partnership seamless and more functional.

    “Let us not betray that trust. Let us jointly commit to prioritising integrity over expediency, innovating for efficiency, and collaborating for national progress. We are on the threshold of transformation. With technology as our tool and collaboration as our compass, we will build a mobilisation system that is secure, smart, and truly service-driven.”

    The director-general also said although the NYSC had attempted to update its mobilisation process in line with changes in Nigeria’s educational policy and environment, it still faced several challenges, including; mismatched data from institutions, uploads of unqualified or part-time graduates, technical glitches that result in frustrating delays, attempts at falsification of records among others.

    The Director, Corps Mobilisation, Mohammed Abubakar said the workshop was an avenue for bringing the NYSC, Corps Producing Institutions and other key stakeholders to brainstorm and improve on the Scheme’s mobilisation efforts.

    He said though the NYSC had made remarkable progress as a result of collaboration, there was a need to tackle fraudulent uploading of unqualified graduates.

    He said, “This process is vital for our nation’s growth but it is fraught with challenges, especially with dishonest enrollments. We must therefore stay alert and be proactive.”

    Abubakar urged the participants to be diligent in their assignments with high integrity and ensure they upload accurate information of their prospective members.

  • YEEP Summit: Foundation partners Reps Deputy Speaker, UNDP, NYSC, others to drive youth economic growth

    YEEP Summit: Foundation partners Reps Deputy Speaker, UNDP, NYSC, others to drive youth economic growth

    Activate Success International Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has said it is partnering with the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to empower young entrepreneurs through the National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program (YEEP’25) Summit.

    In a statement, on Saturday, the founder of the Foundation, Love Idoko-Uloko announced a lineup of other esteemed partners to include top government agencies, international organizations, and private sector companies.

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    According to her, the top government  ministries and the critical stakeholders outside the Office of the Deputy Speaker,  are the Federal Ministry of Youth Development; Federal Ministry of Women Affairs; the National Youth Service Corps; Nestle Nigeria;  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); JAMUB Group;  Crown Luxury Properties, and YIAGA Africa.

    Idoko-Uloko said that the event aims to equip young entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, grants, and mentorship to succeed in their venturess.

    She said the YEEP’25 summit scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja will bring together young entrepreneurs, industry experts, and policymakers to share knowledge, experiences, and resources, expressing profound gratitude to the partners,” Idoko-Uloko said.

  • NYSC certificate deserves a digital makeover

    NYSC certificate deserves a digital makeover

    • By David Tersoo Heke

    Sir: On June 3rd, 2025, I collected my NYSC Certificate of National Service. For years, I had seen others celebrate this document with pride, holding it up as a symbol of academic closure and civic contribution. I anticipated that same feeling. But when I finally received mine, the excitement gave way to quiet concern.

    The certificate felt… underwhelming.

    In a time when most official documents come with modern security features—QR codes, encrypted barcodes, holographic seals, or even digital verification portals—the NYSC certificate appears stuck in the past. No embedded digital features. No tamper-proof markings. The paper itself feels ordinary, and the design appears unchanged for decades.

    This is not just about aesthetics. It’s about credibility and security.

    The current certificate, in its form, is worryingly vulnerable to forgery. Without any way to digitally verify authenticity, employers and institutions are left to rely on the assumption that every certificate presented to them is genuine. In a country where document fraud is a known issue, that’s a dangerous gamble.

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    Contrast this with exam bodies like WAEC and NECO, which now allow digital result confirmation, or even universities that offer transcript tracking systems. Why has the NYSC certificate—arguably one of Nigeria’s most significant civic documents—not evolved?

    The solution is not complex. It’s time for the National Youth Service Corps to:

    – Introduce QR or barcode-based verification systems linked to the NYSC database.

    – Upgrade printing materials to tamper-proof formats with security overlays.

    – Offer secure digital copies for online use and international processing.

    As a proud Nigerian who completed national service, I believe this is not too much to ask. If we are going to continue mandating service to the nation, then the token of that service—our certificate—should reflect the standards of the time.

    We owe it to the thousands of Corps members who serve every year. We owe it to national integrity. And we owe it to the future of public trust in our systems.

    •David Tersoo Heke,

    Makurdi, Benue State.

  • Ex-corps member urges new NYSC graduates to prioritise community development

    Ex-corps member urges new NYSC graduates to prioritise community development

    A former corps member, Ejindu Ruth Isioma, has urged newly deployed members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to focus on community development and public sensitisation in their various Places of Primary Assignment (PPA).

    Her advice came as the 2025 Batch A Stream 2 corps members in Katsina State were deployed from camp on Wednesday following a low-key closing ceremony held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, MD Yusuf Complex, Mani Road, Katsina.

    Read Also: Ondo NOA urges NYSC corps to promote local goods, services

    Isioma, recognised by the NYSC for her exceptional contributions, including the donation and equipping of a clinic at Government College Katsina and the distribution of 200 sanitary pads to female students as part of a menstrual hygiene awareness campaign, encouraged corps members to apply their camp experiences, especially in skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, healthcare promotion, and sensitisation programmes, during their service year.

    Katsina State NYSC coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Saidu, also charged the outgoing corps members to build on the lessons of the three-week orientation course and contribute meaningfully to national development.

    He urged them to respect the traditions and cultures of their host communities to foster lasting relationships.

  • Ondo NOA urges NYSC corps to promote local goods, services

    Ondo NOA urges NYSC corps to promote local goods, services

    The Ondo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state to become active promoters of locally made goods and services as part of the national push toward economic self-reliance and sustainable development.

    The advice was given during an engagement session with Batch A Stream II NYSC members at the orientation camp.

    Addressing the corps members on behalf of the State Director, Mr. James Adekunle, the Assistant Director, Community Outreach and Development, Mr. Olubummo Sesan, welcomed the young graduates to what he described as a “peaceful land full of opportunities.”

    Adekunle, emphasized that promoting made-in-Nigeria products is not just an act of patriotism but a strategic tool for job creation, entrepreneurship growth, and reducing dependence on imported goods.

    “Your service year should not be just about passing time but about building capacity,” he said. “Learn a trade, support local businesses, and promote our indigenous products wherever you are posted.”

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    The NOA boss urged the corps members to resist the lure of quick-fix wealth schemes and focus instead on legitimate and value-driven ventures. He described the NYSC members as “trusted partners in promoting national values,” and challenged them to spread the message of economic patriotism in their host communities and places of primary assignment.

    He urged the youth to deploy their digital skills and social media presence toward projecting Nigerian-made goods to a wider audience, both locally and globally. He warned against using those platforms for hate speech, cybercrime, or fraudulent activities, noting that national development depends on responsible digital citizenship.

    He also urged the corps members to be worthy ambassadors of the Buy Nigeria initiative, stressing that their voices and actions could play a vital role in boosting local industries and building national economic resilience.

    The session ended with the corps members pledging their commitment to supporting NOA’s mission and promoting made-in-Nigeria goods and services throughout their service year.

  • Eight Osun communities benefit from NYSC medical outreach

    Eight Osun communities benefit from NYSC medical outreach

    Residents of eight communities in Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State have benefited from free medical outreach by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The initiative by NYSC under Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) captured over 400 beneficiaries, including farmers, artisans, among others.

    The NYSC Inspector for Ede North, Mrs Naimot Agboola explained that the initiative is a quarterly event which gives residents access to healthcare free of charge.

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    She disclosed that the programme is part of the Community Development Service (CDS), where corps members who are doctors and nurses attend to the medical needs of the people freely.

    The Traditional Head of Kajola, Chief Yinusa Olore, commended the scheme for the initiative, noting that “this is the period we need this gesture when illness is common in my domain.”

    A community leader, Asiwaju of Kajola, Chief Ayobami Agboola said “residents of 8 communities including Sunbare, Apena, Kajola, Alaro, Oke-Ayo, Agbodo, Bara and Lemo, numbering 400 benefitted from this programme.

    “This outreach is timely and very commendable. Many of our people cannot afford proper healthcare, and what the NYSC has done today is nothing short of a blessing.”

  • Katsina NYSC boss lauds decline in number of service year extension, surge in number of deployed corps members

    Katsina NYSC boss lauds decline in number of service year extension, surge in number of deployed corps members

    The NYSC Coordinator in Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saidu, yesterday commended the decline in the number of service year extension as well as the upsurge in the number of deployed youth corps members in the current service year.

    Ibrahim, who made the commendation during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 BATCH ‘A stream II corps members deployed to Katsina State at the NYSC orientation camp, commended the state government for its continued support for the NYSC Scheme in the State.

    He said: “Your administration’s commitment to youth development and nation-building is not only commendable but a source of inspiration.”

    Saidu also congratulated the deployed corps members for successful completion of the academic journeys in their various institutions, adding that their service platforms offers them the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and unity of the Nigerian nation.

    He said: ”This orientation course commenced on the 11th of June and ends 1st of July. At the close of registration, a total of 1200 corps members were duly registered, comprising 500 male and 700 female.”

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    The coordinator further described the orientation course as a critical component of the NYSC programme, which has been carefully designed to instill in corps members the discipline, resilience, and values required for effective national service.

    The Nation learnt that the three-week course comprises a wide range of activities, including: leadership training, Man O’War drills, lectures on national integration, civic responsibilities, sporting activities, cultural displays, and social engagements, and so on.

    Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who was represented by Secretary to the state government, urged the corps members to embrace Katsina as home away from home, assuring that the state government will ensure their welfare and security.

  • Bago tasks corps members on hard work, determination

    Bago tasks corps members on hard work, determination

    Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to embrace hard work and the willingness to succeed throughout their service year.

    Bago gave the advice on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of 2,100 corps members of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko Local Government Area.

    The governor, who was represented by Dr Nuhu Ngaski, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, said the state government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for the success of the scheme.

    “Embrace hard work, determination and a willingness to succeed against all odds, because these are the highlights of any worthwhile venture in life,” he said.

    He noted that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the NYSC, recently launched the `Digital Literacy for All` campaign in Minna and encouraged corps members to take advantage of the initiative.

    According to him, corps members must leverage opportunities in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as developed economies are technology-driven.

    “Whatever you do, however you do it, will count in your future. This is where you begin to learn leadership, discipline, timelines, and adherence to rules and regulations,” he said.

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    In her remarks, Mrs Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, the new NYSC Coordinator to Niger, assured the corps members of the scheme’s commitment to their welfare, health, security, and general well-being.

    She encouraged them to actively participate in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial skills.

    Shuaibu-Ibrahim also pledged to build on the achievements of her predecessor, noting that the NYSC remains a continuous and unified national institution.

    She, however, used the opportunity to extend the sympathy of the NYSC Director-General and management to the victims and families affected by the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the oath of allegiance was administered by the Chief Judge of Niger, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, who was represented by Justice Mariya Ismail.(NAN)