The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Sokoto State has taken a firm disciplinary stance by extending the service year of sixteen corps members. The action was announced during the passing-out ceremony for the 2024 Batch C, Stream 2 participants held in the state capital on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Zero Tolerance for Indiscipline
The State Coordinator, Alhaji Usman Yaro, revealed that the affected individuals were penalized for a range of offences. These included absconding from their primary places of assignment, chronic absenteeism, and other violations of the scheme's established rules and regulations. Yaro emphasized that the NYSC maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards truancy and indiscipline among its members.
"Discipline remains a core value of the NYSC, while sanctions are necessary to maintain the integrity of the scheme and ensure corps members comply with laid-down regulations," Yaro stated. He further clarified, "In this regard, no fewer than 16 corpers will be punished with an extension of their service year due to various offences committed while undergoing their service year."
Recognition and Commendations
While addressing the issue of misconduct, the Coordinator also highlighted positive achievements. He announced that two outstanding corps members were honoured with the prestigious Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Award. This award recognizes exceptional contributions made by corps members towards improving the living standards of their host communities in Sokoto State.
Yaro used the occasion to commend the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for his consistent support of the NYSC scheme. He specifically praised the governor's commitment to the continuous payment of state allowances to corps members deployed in Sokoto. The Coordinator also expressed gratitude to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, for his unwavering support, which he said demonstrates a profound love for Nigerian youth and the NYSC program.
Posting Policy and Community Impact
Explaining the posting strategy, Yaro noted that corps members are deliberately deployed to rural communities. This aligns with the NYSC's core mandate of promoting grassroots development and supports the development agenda of the current administration. A significant number of corps members, especially medical personnel, were posted to rural areas to help address manpower shortages in the health sector. Their medical outreach initiatives have reportedly benefited thousands of residents across Sokoto State.
Furthermore, a large contingent of corps members was assigned to schools as part of the scheme's commitment to strengthening the education sector in the state. Yaro also mentioned that institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and other partners have provided corps members with valuable training and assistance in business development and entrepreneurship.
In his concluding remarks, the Coordinator urged the outgoing corps members to remain worthy ambassadors of the NYSC. He encouraged them to effectively utilize the skills acquired through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program as they transition into life after their national service year.
