NYSC DG Decries Corps Employers’ Negligence to Responsibilities, Urges Action

By Praise Chinecherem

Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu has expressed worry over what he termed lack of commitment of corps’ employers to their avowed responsibilities.

The DG made the observation in Awka, Anambra state at 2025 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop themed “Strengthening NYSC/Corps Employers Partnership for Improved Mutual Benefits”

Nafiu, in his keynote address delivered by Mrs. Mary Chikezie of the South East Area Office 1 regretted the consequences occasioned by such negligence, charging establishments and organizations that require corps members’ services to rise to their obligations.

He identified some of the neglected areas to include provision of accommodation, payment of transportation allowance, healthcare provision as is available to regular staff as well as provision of healthy work environment and security of corps members.

He said, “Employers, prior to their applications for corps members, take care of these requirements. In the same vein, corps employers are requested to provide for the security of corps members.

“The accommodation provided for them and the places of primary assignment must not be in locations where lives and property can be endangered.

“The State Government has the duty to build transit lodges in the State to expand accommodation for corps members.

“The Local Government Councils have the responsibility to build permanent corps lodges in their domains.

“However, findings from inspection visits to corps locations and lodges have shown lack of commitment to these critical requirements.

“The negligence is pervasive. There is, therefore, no gain saying that there would be consequences.

“Some of the consequences include employers’ inability to account for the whereabouts of corps members they fail to provide accommodation for and Increase in truancy when left as sheep without shepherd.

“Rampant escalation in number of corps members that evade the mandatory service year, providing key reason for induced rejections, poor utilization and supervision and promoting disloyalty.”

Underscoring the enormity of the expectations on the workshop from corps employers, the DG enjoined them to see their active participation as patriotic duty.

“I call on you to make individual and collective contributions in shaping the nation-building efforts of the corps members.

“It is the belief of the management of the Scheme that since the actions of corps members impact directly on you and your organizations that you will jointly work together to make the 2025 workshop a watershed moment in corps administration.

“Duty beckons on you to rise in partnership with the NYSC management to articulate way forward that would enhance our operations and strengthen the roles institutions and partners play to return corps members on the road to satisfactory service to the nation, self-actualization and self-reliance,” he noted.

Declaring the workshop open, State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo applauded NYSC for organizing what he called “a timely and transformative event.”

Soludo, represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili urged employers to seize the platform to bridge the lingering communication gaps with the Scheme.

“It is an opportunity to reflect on our roles in mentoring corps members, to share experiences, address challenges, and explore ways to fully harness their potential for greater national impact.

“I commend the NYSC for this laudable initiative and appreciate the effort put into convening stakeholders toward a common national goal,” he said.

Earlier, NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“The workshop provides us the unique opportunity to critically review our collaborations, identify areas for improvement and reinforce our commitment to the ideals of discipline, productivity, and nation-building which underpin the NYSC vision,” she noted.