The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has called on Corps Members to deploy their intellect, creativity, and energy toward nation-building, stressing that the responsibility of developing Nigeria rests largely on the shoulders of its youth.
Speaking to Corps Members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, General Nafiu urged them to take pride in their country and contribute meaningfully to its progress.
According to him, Nigerians must take ownership of the country’s development rather than waiting for others to build the nation.
“We all desire a beautiful country—a nation where we can raise our families and proudly call home. The question is: who will build this country for us? We must work hard to sustain and improve on the legacy of our forefathers,” he said.
The NYSC Director-General noted that young people constitute over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population, making them critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
He explained that the NYSC was established in 1973 as part of the Federal Government’s post-civil war policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction, aimed at fostering national unity and integration among young Nigerians.
General Nafiu emphasized that the Scheme remains one of the most effective platforms for promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens from diverse ethnic, religious, and regional backgrounds.
“The essence of NYSC is to foster national unity, cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. The diversity represented in this camp is one of the Scheme’s greatest strengths,” he stated.
The DG also highlighted government efforts to empower young people through access to education and vocational training, noting that many citizens underestimate the level of support available.
He pointed out that government subsidies in tertiary education and the establishment of skills development centres across the country have provided opportunities for millions of youths to acquire knowledge and practical skills.
Nafiu urged Corps Members to participate actively in all orientation camp activities and take advantage of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to improve their chances of becoming self-reliant and employers of labour.
He stressed that entrepreneurship remains vital to addressing unemployment, adding that governments worldwide are not the primary providers of jobs but are responsible for creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive.
The Director-General encouraged Corps Members to explore opportunities in small-scale enterprises such as ICT services, fashion design, baking, barbing, and hairdressing, among other ventures capable of generating employment and boosting economic growth.
He also cautioned them against the misuse of social media, urging them to verify information before sharing or commenting online and to use digital platforms responsibly for positive engagement and national development.
“You must refrain from any act that is detrimental to the peace, unity, and progress of our dear nation. Before posting, sharing, or commenting on any issue on social media, ensure that you verify the facts thoroughly,” he advised.
Earlier, the NYSC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr. Kufre Umoren, disclosed that 1,074 Corps Members comprising 573 males and 501 females had been successfully registered for the orientation exercise.
Umoren commended the Corps Members for their discipline, patriotism, and commitment to camp activities, expressing confidence in their ability to contribute positively to the success of the service year.
