Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has charged members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to make meaningful contributions to the communities where they will serve, urging them to leave every community better than they met it.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the three-week 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course held at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Lagos State.
The governor was represented at the ceremony by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu.
Addressing the corps members, Sanwo-Olu said the completion of the orientation course marked not the end, but the beginning of the real work of national service as they proceeded to their respective Places of Primary Assignment.
“You are now moving to your Places of Primary Assignment, into communities where your knowledge, your energy, your ideas and your character will be tested,” the governor said.
He challenged the corps members to constantly ask themselves what difference they could make wherever they were posted, stressing that they should not wait to be instructed before contributing to their host communities.
“Look around you. Identify a problem. Find a solution. Help someone. Teach something. Build something. Start something. Leave every community you serve better than you met it. That is the meaning of national service,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the corps members to carry the values they acquired during the orientation course into their places of primary assignment, particularly discipline, patriotism, resilience and a spirit of service.
He also encouraged them to take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as an opportunity for corps members to acquire practical skills, discover entrepreneurial opportunities and potentially chart new directions for their future.
According to him, the Lagos State Government remains committed to human capital development and creating opportunities for young people to acquire skills, pursue enterprise and build sustainable livelihoods.
He cited initiatives such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund as part of government’s efforts to support entrepreneurship, enterprise development and economic empowerment.
The governor, however, noted that government could only create opportunities, while young people must be prepared to seize them.
“Nigeria needs your ideas, your courage, your creativity, your resilience, and above all, Nigeria needs you to believe that the future we desire is not somebody else’s responsibility, it is ours,” he said.
He further urged the corps members to be innovative, resourceful and solution-driven rather than merely complain about the challenges confronting the country.
Sanwo-Olu also advised corps members posted to Lagos to embrace their host communities, respect their customs and traditions, build relationships and learn from the people they would serve.
He called on them to remain security-conscious throughout their service year, assuring them of the state government’s continued collaboration with the NYSC authorities and security agencies to provide a safe and conducive environment.
The governor commended the NYSC State Coordinator, camp officials, security agencies, medical personnel, volunteers, collaborating organisations and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful completion of the orientation course.
Earlier, the NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, congratulated the corps members for successfully completing the first phase of their service year.
Salmwang said the three-week orientation programme was designed to equip the corps members with leadership skills, discipline, resilience, character and a deeper understanding of the values of unity, teamwork and national integration.
She urged them to accept their postings with humility, patriotism and dedication, while strictly observing the rules and regulations guiding the NYSC Scheme.
The coordinator also warned the corps members against unauthorised and night journeys, urging them to obtain proper permission whenever travel became unavoidable.
She further advised them to remain vigilant, avoid disclosing personal information to strangers and exercise caution in accepting favours, stressing that their safety remained paramount.
Salmwang expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its continued support for the NYSC Scheme and appealed to residents to continue supporting corps members, particularly in the areas of accommodation and rent.
As the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members departed the orientation camp for their various Places of Primary Assignment, the governor urged them to measure the success of their service year not merely by its completion, but by the impact they made.
“When this service year is over, I want you to be able to look back and say: I served. I contributed. I made a difference. That is the legacy I want each one of you to create,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor thereafter formally declared the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course in Lagos State closed, wishing the corps members a safe, fulfilling and impactful service year.
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