The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has issued a stern warning to employers who fail to provide basic welfare support for corps members posted to their organisations, threatening to blacklist them from receiving future corps members. The directive comes from the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, during his working visit to Kogi state.
DG Warns Employers on Accommodation and Transport
Speaking during an interaction with corps members in Lokoja, the NYSC chief executive emphasised that employers who neglect to provide accommodation and transportation for corps members could lose the privilege of benefiting from the scheme's services. A statement shared on the NYSC’s Facebook page on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, detailed the warning.
Nafiu urged corps employers to improve the welfare of members serving in their organisations, stressing that the federal government remains committed to the safety and welfare of corps members. He called on state governments, local governments, and other stakeholders to increase their support for the scheme.
Security is a Shared Responsibility
The DG reminded corps members that security is a shared responsibility and encouraged them to report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies. He advised them to remain disciplined, dedicated to their duties, and avoid actions that could affect their reputation, noting that they represent their families, institutions of graduation, and the NYSC.
Embrace Entrepreneurship and Financial Prudence
Nafiu also urged corps members to take their post-camp Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training seriously. He encouraged them to improve their chosen skills before completing their service year and to consider small-scale businesses as a way to become entrepreneurs.
“Be proactive, identify business opportunities within your host communities, and start making some money for yourselves even now,” Nafiu told the corps members. Acknowledging the economic difficulties in the country, he advised them to develop a habit of saving and managing their finances carefully. “Take your service year as a training ground for future financial management by managing your finances wisely,” he said.
Background: Recent NYSC Reforms
The warning follows major reforms approved by the Federal Government for the NYSC. Earlier reports indicated that the government introduced 11 specialised streams and a new training system for corps members. The reforms retain the one-year service period but reorganise orientation activities into three phases covering national values, career preparation, entrepreneurship, and specialised skills development. Corps members will choose from areas including technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, legal services, enterprise, and security under the redesigned NYSC structure aimed at improving employability.
Additionally, the government approved the first comprehensive review of the NYSC in over five decades, introducing changes to reshape the scheme. These include a technology-driven mobilisation process, safer deployment plans, skills-based assignments, improved orientation programmes, modern governance, and upgraded camp standards. The government said the changes would transform NYSC into a skills-focused platform that prepares graduates for careers, entrepreneurship, and national development.
