The Federal Government has approved an additional 50,000 slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mobilisation in response to the growing number of graduates awaiting enlistment for the national service.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the remodelled Clinic at the Scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters in commemoration of the first anniversary of his assumption of duty as its Chief Executive.
Nafiu, who said the extra slots had already been captured in the Scheme’s 2026 budget, also revealed that further provisions had been secured in the Federal Government’s 2027 budget cycle to improve the quality of Corps members’ kits, feeding and transportation allowances.
The DG said the Scheme was targeting the mobilisation of about 450,000 prospective Corps members this year while remaining mindful of their safety. “This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective Corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones. We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children,” he said.
He thanked Nigerians for their renewed interest in the NYSC and commended the continued support the Scheme had received from governments at all levels. Nafiu also praised his predecessor, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, and the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, for their roles in facilitating Presidential approval of the new N77,000 monthly allowance for Corps members.
The NYSC boss explained that the remodelling and upgrade of the headquarters clinic was part of his administration’s initiatives aimed at improving staff welfare and efficiency. Reviewing other accomplishments made under his leadership in the past year, Nafiu said the 2025 staff promotion exercise was conducted to enhance career progression and boost morale within the Scheme.
