Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu has officially taken over as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), succeeding Brig.-Gen. Yu’shau Ahmed. At the handover ceremony in Abuja, he pledged transparent leadership, enhanced welfare for corps members, and stronger job opportunities for graduates.
To tackle unemployment, Nafiu emphasized the NYSC job-matching program, aiming to connect corps members with private-sector employers for better post-service job retention.
“We aim to incentivize employers to retain a significant number of our corps members after their service year,” Nafiu stated.
The initiative aligns with the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, which has been instrumental in empowering corps members with skills for self-reliance.
Nafiu also promised improvements in key areas, including Better camp feeding and hygiene, Improved living conditions in orientation camps, and A more enriching corps member experience
Recognizing NYSC’s 50-year legacy, Nafiu praised corps members for their impact on education, healthcare, and legal advisory services, especially in rural communities.
“For many communities, corps members are the only professionals they have ever known a beacon of hope and inspiration,” he added.
Nafiu urged NYSC staff to serve as role models, emphasizing the need to reposition the scheme for future challenges.
Before his appointment, he served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. His military and leadership experience is expected to bring transformational change to the NYSC.
