The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has appealed to employers of corps members across the country to complement the efforts of the scheme by ensuring that deployed corps members are either picked up directly from orientation camps or adequately refunded for their transportation costs.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the call in Bauchi on Thursday at the 2025 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop organised by the scheme. He stressed that employers have a key role to play in facilitating the comfort and productivity of corps members.
“I call on corps employers to always complement the scheme by going to the camp and picking up corps members or refunding their transport fee when they fail to do so,” Nafiu said.
He further emphasized the importance of providing accommodation, either directly or through compensation, to support effective service delivery from corps members.
“The provision of comfortable accommodation for corps members by their employers or payment in lieu of accommodation would go a long way in compelling the corps members to provide adequate and effective service delivery,” he added.
Represented by Agatha Banki, Director of the NYSC Northeast Area Office 1, the DG described the workshop as an important annual event that strengthens cooperation between the NYSC and corps employers.
“The workshop is an annual event that brings operators of the NYSC Scheme and corps employers in a strategic meeting that presents them with the avenue for exchange of ideas that enhance their operations,” he stated.
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Nafiu explained that the sessions serve as platforms to identify operational challenges, build solutions, and foster institutional collaboration.
“From addressing grey areas to enhancing healthy relationships between our various organisations, the workshops always produce ideas and recommendations that are factored into the operations of the Scheme.
“I am convinced that the 2025 workshop would not be any different,” he said.
Highlighting the responsibilities of corps employers, the DG outlined several key areas, stating that their roles include “the provision of accommodation, payment of transportation allowance, healthcare provision as is available to regular staff, and provision of a healthy working environment.”
He urged participants to make meaningful contributions toward strengthening the NYSC-employer relationship.
“At the end of the workshop, participants must recommend steps to help build a proactive and enduring partnership between the NYSC Scheme and corps employers.
“You must hammer out more effective formats of communication among our organisations and come up with implementable solutions to the numerous problems that challenge corps administration and proffer solutions.
“I call on you to make individual and collective contributions in shaping the nation-building efforts of the corps members,” he said.
Earlier, Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Umoren Kufre, also addressed attendees, noting the crucial role of employers in maximizing the scheme’s potential.
“The NYSC is dedicated to fostering mutual growth and development,” Kufre said, stressing that, “it is through meaningful partnerships with corps members’ employers that the scheme could truly maximise these endeavours.”
He added that collaboration is essential not just for development but also for promoting innovation and social responsibility.
“Strengthening our partnership is not merely a desirable goal but a necessity for fostering empowerment, innovation, and social responsibility.”
“Throughout this workshop, we will engage in critical discussions, share experiences, and explore best practices that will help us strengthen our bonds and enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC in serving both corps members and the labour market,” he said.