The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Kunle Nafilu, has tasked corps employers to ensure safety, and provide adequate welfare to corps members posted to their organisations.
Brigadier General Nafilu gave the charge at the 2025 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop held in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State Capital with the theme: “Strengthening NYSC-Corps Employers’ Partnership for Improved Mutual Benefit.”
The NYSC DG, represented by Assistant Director, NYSC South South office, Mr Ede Ezekiel, said the NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop was an annual event that brings NYSC and corps employers together, presenting management of the Scheme and corps employers the avenue for exchange of ideas that enhance operations.
The Director-General lamented a growing trend of indifference from corps employers, which he said has led to an increase in absenteeism, poor workplace ethics, and a decline in the quality and number of community development projects.
He also pointed to disturbing reports of employers aiding service evasion and condoning lax discipline.
“Where is the partnership that once inspired corps members to eagerly contribute to national development?” he asked.
Brigadier-General Nafilu said the workshop must address key issues such as poor communication channels, insufficient reporting on corps members, welfare and security lapses, and weak supervisory structures.
He noted that these gaps have eroded the sense of responsibility and patriotism that once defined the NYSC experience, reminding participants that the NYSC Act, Cap N84 LFN 2004, clearly outlines what constitutes welfare provisions for corps members.
The Director-General further urged state governments to build transit lodges and local governments to construct permanent corps lodges, describing these as necessary infrastructure for effective corps deployment.
“Our inspection visits have revealed a concerning level of negligence. Many employers cannot account for the whereabouts of corps members, largely because they fail to provide them with proper accommodation. This has led to an increase in indiscipline, service evasion, poor supervision, and rejection of corps members. These actions, if left unchecked, will continue to weaken the NYSC’s impact on national development,” he said.
Brigadier General Nafilu charged participants to treat the workshop as a national duty and to provide meaningful, actionable recommendations that can restore the values of service, discipline, and commitment among corps members.
He expressed hope that the outcome of the deliberations would yield a communiqué that serves as a guide for dealing with both longstanding and emerging issues in corps administration.
The DG called on corps employers to jointly work together and come out with workable solutuons on issues affecting the corps members and the scheme during the workshop for the benefits of all.
In a remark, the Akwa Ibom Head of Service, Mr Effiong Essien, while declaring the workshop open commended the management of NYSC for the impacts made so far in the country.
Mr Essien said that the state government had shown commitment to corps welfare,urging corps employers to take proper care of corps members and make the best use of their services during the service year.
In their goodwill messages, participants noted that the partnership between corps employers and NYSC scheme was a shared commitment to national development, human capital growth and social integration.
They stressed that a strengthened relationship must go beyond placement, adding that it required creating environments where corps members were mentored, appreciated, protected and given opportunity to learn.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Sam Pepple, thanked corps employers for their care and gesture provided to corps members posted to their establishments, urging them to remain committed to supporting the initiatives that promotes the growth and safety of corps members.
