…urges stronger collaboration between employers and stakeholders to improve corps members’ service experience
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state for their dedication, discipline and outstanding contributions to national development, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that enhances their welfare and service experience.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, stated this while declaring open the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop in Uyo, themed “Fine Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare Experience.”
Governor Eno particularly applauded a recently discharged corps member, Kelechi, who was honoured with the Akwa Ibom State Award for Excellence for his exceptional service at Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, describing the recognition as a motivation for other corps members across the country.
“Let me specifically commend the corps members posted to Akwa Ibom State for their commitment, loyalty and dedication to service. Yesterday, a corps member who served at Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, received the State Award for Excellence. Let this serve as encouragement to all corps members serving in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria.”
The Governor said the objectives of the NYSC Scheme align with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, particularly in education, human capital development, innovation, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
He noted that the establishment of Youth Development Centres in all the 31 local government areas was aimed at equipping young people with practical skills to become self-reliant and employers of labour rather than job seekers.
“The opportunities we are creating for young people are aimed at making them employers of labour and independent. Today, entrepreneurship often offers greater opportunities than traditional white-collar jobs.”
Governor Eno also commended the NYSC State Coordinator and her management team for organising the workshop, describing it as a vital platform for strengthening cooperation between the Scheme and employers.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the Director of the South-South Area Office II, represented by Mr. Godfrey Nwaje, described corps employers as indispensable partners in the success of the Scheme.
He urged employers to provide corps members with meaningful job assignments, quality mentorship, professional development opportunities and conducive workplaces that promote productivity and personal growth.
The NYSC Director General reminded employers of their statutory obligations, including the provision of accommodation or allowance in lieu, transportation support, welfare, security, healthcare, and opportunities for corps members to participate in Community Development Service and official NYSC programmes.
He also called for workplaces free from discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse.
“We must continue to foster workplaces that are respectful, supportive and free from all forms of discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse.”
The Director-General further encouraged employers to expose corps members to practical learning experiences that would enhance their digital competence, leadership, communication and critical thinking skills, thereby improving their employability after national service.
He expressed confidence that deliberations at the workshop would produce practical recommendations to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and improve the welfare and workplace experience of corps members nationwide.
Earlier, Akwa Ibom NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Akuagbaogu, said the annual workshop was designed to deepen engagement between the Scheme, corps employers and other critical stakeholders on emerging issues affecting corps administration.
She explained that the workshop provides an opportunity to review collective efforts, identify challenges and develop practical strategies to improve corps members’ welfare, productivity and overall service experience.
Mrs. Akuagbaogu stressed that the success of the NYSC depends on the commitment of employers, government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers and development partners in providing a safe and conducive environment for corps members.
“We remain committed to strengthening our collaboration with all corps employers to ensure that corps members are properly deployed, adequately supervised, mentored, motivated and provided with a safe and conducive environment to discharge their responsibilities effectively.”
She expressed appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Government for its sustained support towards the successful implementation of the objectives of the Scheme.
The workshop brought together government officials, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, corps employers, traditional institutions, development partners and other stakeholders committed to advancing the objectives of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.
