NYSC a unique pool of human capital says D-G

The Director-General (D-G) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has described the NYSC as a unique pool of human capital capable of driving national development.

Nafiu said this on Monday in Jos at the NYSC 2026 Annual Management Conference with the theme “NYSC as a Catalyst for National Development: Tackling Present Challenges and Charting Sustainable Solutions.”

The D-G said the scheme’s substantial numerical strength, consistent yearly intake, and the flexibility of young Nigerians from diverse academic and professional backgrounds represented a unique pool of human capital within Nigeria.

“The key question we face is no longer about relevance but about deliberate deployment of how this collective energy, skill, and patriotism can be systematically harnessed to address current challenges.

“It is meant to create sustainable solutions in a fast-changing socio-economic environment,” he said.

He said the NYSC annual management conference wasn’t just a routine administrative event but one of its most important internal policy forums.

Nafiu stated that the conference was a forum where leadership reviewed its activities over the past year.

The D-G added that performances and outcomes would be examined and strategies developed to improve service delivery and organisational effectiveness in the year ahead.

According to him, this year’s theme reflected a sober evaluation of both the maturity of the scheme and the demands of our current national situation.

“The NYSC has grown into one of Nigeria’s most enduring public institutions; having matured, the scheme is now positioned to move beyond symbolic nation-building towards more direct and measurable contributions to national development.

“Management was dedicated to developing a scheme that is dynamic, meets new challenges and becomes the leading light of youth organisations in Africa,” he said.

Nafiu commended President Bola Tinubu for maintaining confidence in the NYSC as a means of promoting national unity and growth.

He further thanked the governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, for the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mangu Local Government Area and for the approval of additional land for agricultural use.

The D-G said the land would encourage corps members’ involvement in farming and strengthen ongoing efforts to promote self-sufficiency and food security.

Similarly, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who declared the conference open, said the NYSC has grown to assume a strategic role in the nation’s stride towards development, as its tangible impacts are seen in the areas of education, health and rural infrastructure development.

Mutfwang, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, said his administration’s commitment to youth development and recognition of the strategic role the NYSC played assured the NYSC of Plateau’s unflinching support for the scheme.

Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayudela Olawande, joined the opening ceremony virtually.