NYSC Now Mobilizes Graduates from 419 Institutions Nationwide, Says DG

Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has highlighted the massive expansion of the scheme’s reach by revealing that it now mobilises graduates from 419 tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, General Nafiu noted that the scheme has evolved significantly from its 1973 beginnings, where it started with just 2,364 corps members, to its current scale of mobilising approximately 400,000 graduates annually.


Expansion of Institutional Reach

The Director-General emphasised that the number of participating institutions reflects the rapid growth of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. This expansive list of 419 institutions encompasses universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and specialised colleges. In addition to these domestic institutions, the scheme continues to process and mobilise Nigerians who obtain their degrees from foreign institutions and return home to fulfil their mandatory national service.


Budgetary Capacity and Growth Prospects

General Nafiu indicated that while 400,000 is the current annual average, the scheme possesses the underlying capacity to manage even larger numbers. He stated that the growth has been tremendous and is currently limited only by budgetary constraints, noting that if resources permit, the scheme could mobilise over 600,000 graduates. This steady growth is seen as a direct indicator of the expanding education system and the increasing relevance of the scheme in promoting national unity.


User-Friendly Mobilisation Reforms

Addressing the concerns of prospective corps members (PCMs), the DG assured that the NYSC has streamlined its registration and mobilisation processes to be more user-friendly. He explained that the scheme now practices higher levels of public accountability by offering apologies and extending registration timelines when technical hitches occur. Furthermore, the NYSC is actively encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to return, with many finding the local environment favourable enough to remain in the country after their service year.


Inclusivity and Eligibility

The DG also clarified that the scheme remains open to all eligible graduates regardless of their age at the time of return, specifically noting that those who missed the opportunity earlier in life are still welcome to complete their service. This ensures that every Nigerian graduate, whether trained locally at one of the 419 recognised institutions or abroad, has the opportunity to contribute to national development through the scheme.

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