By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, saying the Ministry will continue to support the Scheme.
He stated this while inaugurating the NYSC Staff E-Training Portal during the *2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop held in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations.
Olawande commended the NYSC leadership for introducing innovations aimed at improving efficiency.
He expressed satisfaction with the technology-driven status of the Scheme, describing the professionalism and increased access to knowledge by NYSC staff as laudable.
“This platform will help to build a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed to making the Scheme better. Let us work together and embrace technology,”_ the Minister said.
The Minister stressed that with global trends, academic qualifications alone cannot address unemployment.
“Our Corps Members must learn practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity, and personal responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact,”_ Olawande stated.
He reiterated that the service year should be an opportunity for graduates to _“serve, lead, and contribute to national development.”_
He also disclosed that Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, remains _“the most important content in the NYSC as at date.”_
Also speaking, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said societal changes make it imperative for the Scheme to constantly review its Orientation Course contents for relevance.
He said the workshop theme: “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World” was chosen to shape Corps Members’ character, mindset, skills and civic awareness.
“I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country,” he said.
“Management remains committed to working with security agencies to assess risk, take preemptive steps and make Corps Members safe throughout the service year.”
In his address, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Nura Umar, appreciated the Minister for his passion for youth development.
He noted that the Orientation Camp is the first contact point for every Corps Member and there is a need to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.
“It is necessary to rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remains focused and aligns with contemporary realities,” Umar said.
He urged participants to use the workshop to devise strategies that will deepen stakeholders’ relationships through welfare and safety of Corps Members, camp administration, strengthening discipline, leadership development, and enhancing SAED.
