• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

The NYSC boss revealed that the scheme plans to mobilise about 450,000 prospective corps members in 2026, noting that safety considerations remain a top priority in their deployment. The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has approved additional 50,000 mobilisation slots for the 2026 programme of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address the growing number of Nigerian graduates awaiting participation in the national service scheme. The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of a remodelled clinic at the scheme's National Directorate Headquarters to mark the first anniversary of his assumption of office as the organisation's chief executive. In a statement issued on Saturday by Mrs Caroline Embu, the Director, Information and Public Relations, Nafiu was quoted to have said that the newly approved slots have already been captured in the scheme's 2026 budget as part of efforts to ensure that more qualified graduates are mobilised for the mandatory one-year national service. "The Federal Government has graciously approved an additional 50,000 slots for the 2026 mobilisation exercise," Nafiu said. "This decision is in response to the increasing number of graduates who are eager to participate in the NYSC programme." He added that further provisions had been made in the Federal Government's 2027 budget cycle to improve corps members' welfare, particularly in the areas of kits, feeding and transportation allowances. "We have also secured provisions in the 2027 budget cycle aimed at improving the quality of corps members' kits as well as their feeding and transportation allowances," he said. The NYSC boss revealed that the scheme plans to mobilise about 450,000 prospective corps members in 2026, noting that safety considerations remain a top priority in their deployment. "This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones," Nafiu said. "We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children. Their safety remains paramount in all our deployment decisions." Nafiu also thanked Nigerians for their continued interest in the scheme and commended the support the organisation has received from governments at various levels. He acknowledged the roles played by his predecessor, Yusha'u Ahmed, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in facilitating presidential approval for the new N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members. "I must sincerely appreciate my predecessor and the Honourable Minister for their roles in ensuring the presidential approval of the N77,000 allowance for corps members," Nafiu said. He explained that the remodelling of the headquarters clinic formed part of his administration's initiatives to improve staff welfare and enhance productivity within the organisation. "The upgrade of this clinic is part of our commitment to improving staff welfare and ensuring that our personnel have access to quality healthcare services," he said. Highlighting achievements recorded during his first year in office, Nafiu said the 2025 staff promotion exercise was conducted to improve career progression and boost morale among workers. "We conducted the 2025 promotion exercise to ensure that our staff members progress in their careers and remain motivated to deliver on the mandate of the scheme," he said. He added that peculiar allowances were facilitated for staff, retirement benefits were paid to disengaged personnel and a recruitment exercise was conducted to strengthen the scheme's operational capacity. Nafiu also disclosed that the organisation secured the donation of a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus to enhance mobility for both staff and corps members. According to him, the NYSC management has maintained industrial harmony within the organisation through an open-door leadership approach. "We have sustained industrial harmony through dialogue, inclusiveness and an open-door leadership style," he said. On youth empowerment, Nafiu said the scheme was repositioning its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme through strategic partnerships. "We are partnering with relevant institutions to strengthen the SAED programme and make it more impactful for corps members," he said, noting that the scheme had partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre to digitise the programme. He added that the management had also collaborated with the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria to strengthen support for the scheme. "We will continue to strengthen infrastructure, deepen youth empowerment initiatives, enhance welfare and security, and uphold the ideals of fairness, unity and national service that define the NYSC," Nafiu said. Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth Development, Olawande, who inaugurated the remodelled clinic, commended the NYSC leadership for its welfare-driven initiatives. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/03/07/tinubu-government-approves-50000-additional-slots-corps-members-nysc-mobilisation-over