NYSC Warns Employers Against Neglecting Corps Members, Seeks Better Welfare and Safer Workplaces

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on employers of corps members across Nigeria to take greater responsibility for their welfare, security and workplace experience, warning that poor treatment of young graduates undermines the objectives of the national service programme.

The call was made on Tuesday during the 2026 Corps Employers’ Workshop held in Sokoto, with the theme: “Fine-Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare and Workplace Experience.”

The workshop brought together NYSC officials, government representatives, employers and other stakeholders to review challenges affecting corps members and strengthen partnerships aimed at improving their service year experience.

Representing the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the Acting Director of the North-West Area Office II, Alhaji Usman Yakubu Yaro, stressed that employers remain critical partners in ensuring that corps members operate in safe, supportive and productive environments.

He said corps members should not be viewed as temporary labour but as young professionals equipped with skills and knowledge capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.

NYSC Raises Concern Over Corps Members’ Rejection

A major concern highlighted at the workshop was the increasing cases of corps members being rejected by their places of primary assignment.

According to the NYSC Director-General, some employers and corps members engage in deliberate arrangements to facilitate rejection, a development he described as detrimental to the objectives of the scheme.

He urged stakeholders to discourage such practices and ensure that corps members are properly integrated into their assigned organisations.

Nafiu also expressed concern over the underutilisation of corps members, noting that many graduates are not given responsibilities that reflect their academic backgrounds, skills and professional abilities.

He emphasised that organisations stand to benefit more when corps members are assigned meaningful roles that allow them to contribute effectively.

Delayed Clearance, Accommodation and Welfare Challenges

The NYSC management also identified delays in issuing monthly clearance to qualified corps members as another challenge affecting the smooth running of the programme.

The Director-General criticised organisations that fail to formally request corps members but still expect the NYSC to deploy personnel to them, describing such attitudes as counterproductive to effective manpower planning.

Earlier, the NYSC Sokoto State Coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Tyoyer Ter, listed several challenges confronting corps members in the state, including absconding, poor treatment at places of primary assignment, inadequate support for Community Development Service (CDS) projects and accommodation difficulties.

He said the employers’ workshop was designed to create a platform where stakeholders could discuss practical solutions and develop strategies to improve the overall service experience of corps members.

Strengthening Partnership for National Development

The Sokoto NYSC coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the scheme to promoting national unity, youth empowerment and socio-economic development through the service programme.

He noted that the NYSC Management/Corps Employers’ Forum had continued to strengthen cooperation between the scheme and employers, resulting in improved deployment, monitoring and utilisation of corps members.

Stakeholders at the workshop pledged renewed commitment to working with the NYSC to enhance the welfare, safety and productivity of corps members serving across Sokoto State.

The consensus was that a stronger partnership between employers and the NYSC remains essential to achieving the founding vision of the scheme — building a united Nigeria through meaningful youth engagement and service.