Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to uphold the values of patriotism, discipline, integrity and selfless service throughout their one-year national assignment.
The governor gave the charge on Friday during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
Represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, Sanwo-Olu congratulated the newly deployed corps members on completing their academic programmes and described their deployment as the beginning of an important journey of national service and personal development.
He noted that the NYSC Scheme remains a vital platform for promoting national unity by bringing together graduates from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds to serve the country.
“The National Youth Service Corps provides a unique opportunity for young graduates to appreciate Nigeria’s rich diversity, build lasting friendships across cultural divides and contribute meaningfully to national development,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the corps members to participate actively in all orientation camp activities, explaining that the three-week programme was designed to instill discipline, patriotism, integrity, teamwork, perseverance, tolerance and time consciousness.
He also encouraged them to take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a strategic initiative aimed at equipping corps members with practical skills for self-reliance, wealth creation and financial independence after the service year.
The governor further advised the corps members to respect the laws of the country, obey NYSC regulations and build healthy relationships with colleagues from different parts of Nigeria.
“As you are sworn into the National Youth Service Corps today, I enjoin you to uphold the ideals of the Scheme by demonstrating discipline, integrity, commitment and loyalty in all your engagements,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NYSC Scheme by providing an enabling environment that would allow corps members to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Lagos State.
He also commended the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, camp officials, security agencies and other stakeholders for ensuring the successful commencement of the orientation exercise. The governor equally appreciated the Lagos State Chief Judge for administering the Oath of Allegiance to the corps members.
He formally declared the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course open and wished the corps members a successful orientation programme and impactful service year.
3,281 Corps Members Sworn In
Earlier, the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, welcomed dignitaries and corps members to the official opening ceremony, describing participation in the NYSC Scheme as a significant milestone in the lives of Nigerian graduates.
She congratulated the corps members on completing their degree programmes and urged them to approach their national assignment with commitment, discipline and patriotism.
According to her, 3,281 corps members, comprising 1,379 males and 1,902 females, were registered and sworn in at the Lagos Orientation Camp.
She disclosed that an additional 5,122 corps members deployed to Lagos State were dislodged to neighbouring states due to camp capacity. The distribution includes 1,146 to Ekiti State, 1,185 to Ondo State, 765 to Osun State, 939 to Edo State and 1,085 to Kwara State.
Salmwang explained that the orientation course was designed to prepare graduates for nation-building through military drills, physical fitness exercises, lectures, Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training, sports and other leadership development programmes.
She urged corps members to actively participate in every aspect of the orientation exercise, stressing that the programme promotes patriotism, peaceful coexistence, national unity, discipline and self-reliance.
Safety Advisory to Corps Members
The NYSC Coordinator also emphasized the importance of personal safety throughout the service year.
She reminded corps members that they were not permitted to travel without official approval and advised those granted permission to avoid night journeys and unauthorized motor parks.
According to her, corps members who become stranded while travelling should seek temporary shelter at the nearest military barracks, police formation or other recognized security facility until it is safe to continue their journey.
Salmwang reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to the welfare and security of all corps members and thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu, collaborating agencies, security services and other stakeholders for their continued support toward the successful implementation of the NYSC Scheme in Lagos State.
She wished the corps members a rewarding orientation exercise and a successful service year.
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