NYSC @53: DG Wants Scheme’s Trust Fund Established for Corpers’ Benefit
By Nafisat Bello
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed for public support towards the approval of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund, saying the initiative would strengthen entrepreneurship development and create more job opportunities for Corps Members across the country.
General Nafiu made the appeal during an appearance at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja as the Scheme marked its 53rd anniversary of nation-building.
According to him, the proposed Trust Fund would enable the NYSC to expand the scope of its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by providing start-up capital for Corps Members to establish businesses after service.
He said the initiative would also help tackle youth restiveness by engaging graduates in productive ventures capable of reducing unemployment, idleness, and other social vices.
The NYSC Director-General noted that the Scheme had continued to fulfill its mandate of promoting national unity, cohesion, and socio-economic development since it was established by the administration of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, after the Nigerian Civil War.
Nafiu described the vision behind the establishment of the NYSC as laudable, stressing that the Scheme had significantly fostered national integration through inter-tribal marriages, cultural exchanges, and the deployment of Corps Members to states outside their regions of origin.
He added that many enduring friendships and relationships had also been built through the Scheme over the decades.
“The influence of the Scheme in relation to national unity, cohesion, and socio-economic development cannot be underestimated,” he said.
Speaking on reforms within the Scheme, the NYSC helmsman said the organisation had embraced technological innovations over the years, including the introduction of electronic identity cards, digital record-keeping, online camp registration, and the use of social media platforms for information dissemination.
On the SAED programme, Nafiu explained that the initiative, introduced in 2012, was designed to strengthen the informal sector of the economy through vocational and entrepreneurial training for Corps Members.
He disclosed that the NYSC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to further enhance the programme.
According to him, more than 500,000 Corps Members have so far registered their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
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The Director-General also reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to ensuring seamless online registration for prospective Corps Members.
He, however, identified inadequate accommodation facilities at orientation camps as a major factor affecting the number of Corps Members posted to camps across the country.
Nafiu reminded state governments of their responsibilities under the NYSC Act to provide and maintain conducive orientation camp facilities for the training of Corps Members.
He revealed that Enugu and Osun states are currently renovating their orientation camps, while Lagos State is constructing a new orientation camp to improve the welfare and comfort of Corps Members serving in the state.
The DG further stated that state governments are expected to provide operational vehicles for State Coordinators and camp subventions, while Local Government Chairmen are responsible for providing Corps lodges.
He said the NYSC management had continued to engage relevant stakeholders at all levels to ensure they fulfill their obligations to the Scheme.
Nafiu also appealed to Student Affairs Officers in Corps-producing institutions to submit the names of qualified graduates promptly to avoid delays in mobilization.
On data management, he disclosed that the Nigeria Education Repository Databank (NERD) is a Federal Government initiative aimed at maintaining records of Nigerian graduates, adding that the NYSC is ready to comply fully with the directive.
The Director-General advised Corps Members to strictly observe the Scheme’s security guidelines and travel advisories, including avoiding night travel, lone journeys, and risky movements.
He added that the NYSC had partnered with security agencies to ensure the safety of Corps Members travelling to orientation camps nationwide.
Nafiu further disclosed that all Corps Members are covered under the health package of the National Health Insurance Authority, which provides free medical treatment throughout the service year.
He said NYSC ventures such as farms, bread and water factories, garment factories, and other enterprise initiatives not only provide vocational training opportunities for Corps Members but also generate internal revenue for the Scheme.
“The Scheme is trying to inculcate the culture of savings in Corps Members through multiple streams of income,” he said.
“Entrepreneurship development enables them to develop themselves and also train others to acquire new skills towards self-employment.”
The NYSC boss also said the Scheme had continued to sensitise Corps Members on the responsible use of social media by encouraging positive online engagement and discouraging content capable of bringing them into conflict with the law.
