Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pledges to place the safety of corps members above all other considerations, with future deployments strictly guided by security assessments and prevailing government policy.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, makes the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2026 Batch A Pre-Mobilisation Workshop.
“Deployment decisions should be guided by current security conditions, existing government policies, and the principles of equity, fairness and transparency,” Nafiu says, describing the welfare and dignity of corps members as “non-negotiable.”
Speaking under the theme Enhancing Service Delivery Across the NYSC Mobilisation Value Chain, the director-general outlines reforms aimed at addressing long-standing weaknesses in the mobilisation process.
He identifies pressure points within tertiary institutions, accusing some of uploading unqualified graduates, manipulating records and operating weak verification systems. Nafiu urges university administrators to strengthen oversight and improve training for registration officers.
The NYSC chief also acknowledges internal lapses, including inconsistent rule enforcement, poor inter-departmental coordination and human interference in automated systems.
“These gaps reduce efficiency and gradually erode public trust,” he admits, pledging stricter adherence to procedures and improved professionalism.
Despite digital gains, Nafiu notes persistent challenges such as poor data quality, resistance to automation and weak feedback mechanisms. “Technology should serve as an enabler, not a source of frustration,” he says, calling for continuous training, system audits and reduced manual intervention.
Director of Corps Mobilisation, Mrs Racheal Idaewor, describes the workshop as critical to strengthening collaboration with institutions, urging Student Affairs Officers to submit accurate data.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
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