NYSC DG Urges Corps Employers to Prioritise Welfare, Strengthen Partnership

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, has urged corps employers in Lagos to deepen their collaboration with the scheme and prioritise the welfare of corps members as a critical step toward enhancing the overall impact of national service.

Speaking at the 2025 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop held at the multipurpose hall of the Somolu Local Government Secretariat, the DG, represented by Mrs. Winifred Shopeka, Deputy Director, South-West Area Office II, emphasised that sustained synergy and mutual understanding between corps employers and the NYSC are essential to fulfilling the scheme’s objectives.

The event, themed “Strengthening NYSC/Corps Employers’ Partnership for Improved Mutual Benefits,” brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to deliberate on strategies to improve the corps member experience and enhance their contribution to national development.

In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, reiterated the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to youth development. He described the collaboration between NYSC and corps employers as a powerful mechanism for building a more resilient and empowered workforce.

He encouraged corps members to approach their primary assignments with professionalism and integrity, while assuring that the state government would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the NYSC scheme.

Earlier in her welcome address, the NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, stated that the workshop was designed to foster dialogue, address operational challenges, and promote innovative approaches to corps member engagement. She noted that corps employers play a crucial role in shaping the professional journey of young graduates and called for more inclusive policies to enhance their welfare and productivity.

The workshop featured three expert-led lectures from Prof. (Mrs.) Maryam Omolara Quadri, Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Lagos; Mrs. Aarinola Kola-Daisi, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS); and the Head of Employee Experience at KPMG. The sessions addressed key issues such as mentorship, workplace integration, and corps member performance management.

A major highlight of the event was the syndicate group discussions where corps employers exchanged insights and proffered practical solutions to persistent challenges. Among the top recommendations was the establishment of corps lodges across all local government areas in Lagos State to ease the accommodation burden faced by many corps members.

In her closing remarks, Mrs. Salmwang thanked both physical and virtual participants for their contributions and assured them that the NYSC Lagos Secretariat would take proactive steps to implement the key takeaways from the workshop. She also proposed the creation of dedicated WhatsApp communication platforms to strengthen coordination and foster a more responsive relationship between the NYSC and corps employers.