By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has charged newly deployed Corps Members to see their service year as a defining opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s unity and secure their personal futures.
Addressing the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps Members at the NYSC Lagos State Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, the DG urged them to rise above ethnic, religious and cultural differences and relate with one another as brothers and sisters committed to a common national destiny.
According to Nafiu, national integration remains the soul of the NYSC scheme, stressing that the success or failure of the programme ultimately depends on the attitudes and conduct of Corps Members during their year of service.
He encouraged them to embrace selflessness, maximise opportunities offered by the scheme and deliberately build friendships that would outlive the service year and strengthen the country’s fragile unity.
“Among you seated here today are future governors, senators, lawmakers, captains of industry, presidents and vice-presidents,” the DG declared, reminding the Corps Members that NYSC had shaped the lives and careers of many national leaders.
In a lighter moment that drew laughter from the audience, Nafiu noted that many Nigerians found lifelong partners during their service year, urging Corps Members not to isolate themselves but to respect local cultures, particularly that of their host communities in Lagos State.
Beyond unity, the DG challenged the young graduates to prepare early for life after service by acquiring at least one entrepreneurial skill during orientation camp.
He stressed that skills acquisition was no longer optional in a tough economic climate.
To back his call, Nafiu revealed that the Bank of Industry had earmarked ₦2 billion as business loans for interested Corps Members, while other institutions including Wema Bank, NNPC Foundation, Kudimata, Access Bank and Unity Bank were also providing funding opportunities at minimal interest rates.
Earlier, the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, assured the DG that Corps Members in the state had shown enthusiasm and readiness to serve the nation since their arrival at camp.
She also disclosed that construction work was progressing steadily at the permanent orientation camp site in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
The visit underscored the NYSC leadership’s renewed push for unity, empowerment and post-service preparedness among Nigerian youths.
