Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has expressed strong optimism about Nigeria's prospects, stating that the nation's future is very promising. He emphasized that achieving this potential will require the collective effort of all citizens.
NYSC Conference Highlights National Unity and Development
The governor delivered this message on January 12, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Annual Management Conference. The event was held at Crispan Hotel in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Governor Mutfwang was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo.
In his address, Mutfwang traced the history of the NYSC, noting it was established primarily as an interventionist programme to foster national unity and integration following the country's 30-month civil war. He asserted that the scheme has since evolved to play a strategic role in national life and in Nigeria's developmental journey.
Tangible Impact and Youth Empowerment
The governor highlighted the scheme's concrete contributions across several critical sectors. "The assertion gains credence when considered in light of the scheme’s tangible impact in education, health, rural infrastructure development, sports, and the provision of gainful employment for corps members through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training," Mutfwang stated.
He specifically commended the NYSC's focused efforts to tackle graduate unemployment. The deliberate strategy of equipping corps members with skills for self-employment and wealth creation is already yielding positive results, according to the governor. This transformative work through the youth, he noted, provides solid assurance that the nation has a robust future and that young Nigerians are on a steady path forward.
Administrative Support and Forward-Looking Theme
Demonstrating his administration's commitment, Governor Mutfwang revealed that he personally visited the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Mangu in 2025. During that visit, he issued immediate directives for renovation work to begin and for the completion of remaining sections of the camp.
He praised the conference's theme, "NYSC as a catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions," describing it as both appropriate and timely.
Other dignitaries at the event echoed the governor's sentiments. The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, explained that the two-day conference would feature structured presentations by subject experts. These sessions are designed to spark informed discussions and gather practical contributions to enhance the scheme's performance and impact.
The State NYSC Coordinator in Plateau, Mr. Yavala Jonathan Iliya, expressed gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for his consistent support. Iliya described the governor as youth-friendly and highlighted specific support, including:
- Providing a state-of-the-art, ultra-modern temporary orientation camp facility with rent paid in advance.
- Consistently augmenting the feeding of corps members during their orientation exercises.
Governor Mutfwang concluded by applauding the scheme's managers for remaining true to the vision of its founding father, General Yakubu Gowon, and for sustaining its reputation as "the leading light of youth organisation in Africa."
