Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu has officially assumed office as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), pledging to enhance the welfare of staff and corps members while advancing key initiatives to boost employment opportunities for graduates.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Nafiu, who took over from Brig.-Gen. Yu’shau Ahmed, emphasized his commitment to providing transparent and effective leadership for the scheme’s progress.
A key focus of his tenure, he said, would be strengthening the job-matching programme to enable more corps members to transition into private-sector employment during and after their service year.
“We will work towards incentivizing employers to retain a significant number of corps members after their service,” Nafiu stated.
He also assured corps members that their well-being would remain a top priority, pledging improvements in camp feeding and hygiene to enhance their overall experience.
Reflecting on the NYSC’s role since its establishment in 1973, Nafiu highlighted its contributions to national unity and socio-cultural integration, particularly through community development projects.
“The corps members have served as the only available educators, healthcare providers, and legal advisors in many communities, bringing hope and inspiration to rural areas,” he said.
Nafiu called for the support of NYSC staff in driving new initiatives aimed at improving their welfare and career development. He urged them to serve as role models to corps members while adapting strategies to align with the evolving needs of the scheme.
His leadership, he assured, would focus on repositioning the NYSC to meet contemporary challenges and ensure its long-term relevance.
Outgoing Director-General Ahmed described Nafiu’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to national service, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the scheme into a new phase of growth and innovation.
Nafiu holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. An alumnus of three Army War Colleges, he has served in various capacities both in Nigeria and international peacekeeping missions. Before his appointment, he was the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.
