The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, (NYSC), has strongly opposed the suggested scrapping of the scheme, stating that the federal government was working on reform of the scheme.

Nafiu who spoke at a pre- mobilisation workshop for 2025 emphasized that the NYSC remained a vital institution in promoting national unity, integration, and development.

He argued that the scheme has been instrumental in fostering social cohesion, cultural exchange, and economic growth, and that its benefits far outweigh any perceived drawbacks.

“We are not considering scrapping the NYSC, rather, we are working tirelessly to reform and strengthen the scheme to make it more relevant and effective in addressing the needs of Nigerian youth and the nation,” Nafiu stated.

According to him, the reform efforts were focused on enhancing the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programs, improving the welfare and security of corps members, and expanding the scheme’s community development initiatives.

He also revealed that the NYSC is engaging with stakeholders, including corps members, alumni, and the general public, to gather feedback and ideas on how to improve the scheme.

Nafiu highlighted some of the achievements of the NYSC, including its role in promoting entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and community development.

He noted that the scheme has produced many notable alumni who have gone on to become leaders in various fields, including politics, business, and entertainment.

The NYSC DG’s statement comes as a response to recent calls for the scheme to be scrapped, citing concerns about its relevance, funding, and effectiveness.

However, Nafiu’s comments suggest that the scheme is here to stay, and that efforts are underway to revamp and strengthen it for the benefit of Nigerian youth and the nation as a whole.