By Joy Odor Abuja
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has kicked off a major image reboot, unveiling a strategic media partnership with the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) as part of a broader push to rebuild public trust, reinforce national unity and reclaim its place as one of Nigeria’s strongest nation-building institutions.
The high-level meeting, held Tuesday at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja, comes as the scheme faces intensifying scrutiny from the digital public sphere where misinformation, distorted narratives and unverified reports have increasingly shaped perceptions of the Corps and its operations.
Receiving the ACOE delegation, the NYSC Director-General represented by the Director of Media, Mr. Emeka Rems Mgbemena made a forceful case for stronger collaboration with credible digital media platforms.
He reminded journalists that the NYSC was born out of Nigeria’s post civil war reconstruction efforts and remains “a strategic national asset designed to unite Nigeria’s diverse cultures while raising a generation of empowered, disciplined and entrepreneurial youth.”
Mgbemena disclosed that the Corps operates its own television station, radio channel and quarterly publications, adding that a large number of its media personnel are registered with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Despite these structures, he admitted the scheme relies heavily on independent media for both checks and amplification.
“Accurate and responsible journalism is essential to our growth,” he said. “The media must be partners in building unity, not amplifying divisive stereotypes that threaten the NYSC vision.”
NYSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Caroline Embu, echoed the call for responsible reporting, warning that sensational or unverified stories can endanger corps members and damage public confidence in the institution.
“Balanced and verified reporting is critical to safeguarding our credibility,” she said. “We maintain an open-door policy and will continue to engage journalists transparently.”
ACOE Chairman, Comrade Sola Akingboye, said the association is committed to strengthening ties with institutions that drive national development.
He applauded the NYSC’s enduring contributions to unity, cultural integration, and youth empowerment.
Akingboye hailed the leadership of NYSC’s Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, for prioritising transparency and youth welfare since assuming office in March.
He noted that ACOE’s network of digital media platforms is well-positioned to influence national discourse and pledged support for a “mutually beneficial media alliance” that will amplify NYSC initiatives, correct misinformation, and deepen public trust.
“We believe this collaboration will support the Corps’ mission at a critical time for Nigeria,” Akingboye said.
The meeting ended with firm commitments on both sides to build a more structured, more deliberate communication ecosystem, one capable of reinforcing the NYSC’s nation-building mission while promoting responsible journalism across the digital landscape.
Present at the session were senior NYSC officials, heads of media and information units, alongside members of the ACOE investiture planning committee and the association’s executive leadership.
With this new alliance, the NYSC signals a more assertive media strategy, aimed at shaping narratives, countering misinformation and reclaiming the confidence of Nigerians as it positions itself for the next chapter in national service and unity.
