By Gabriel Ameh
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have agreed to strengthen their partnership to improve corps mobilisation, youth development, entrepreneurship and overall service delivery across the country.
The commitment was made by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, while receiving members of the National Executive Council of NANS during a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
Nafiu described NANS as a long-standing and strategic partner of the Scheme, noting that the association has continued to play an important role in supporting the objectives of the NYSC since its establishment.
He reiterated that the Scheme’s primary mandate remains the promotion of national unity and integration, adding that Nigerian students have always been central to achieving this goal as they eventually become Corps Members after graduation.
The NYSC Director-General also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, saying the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce youth unemployment and equip graduates with practical skills for self-employment and economic independence.
He encouraged NANS to sustain its constructive engagement in national development and democratic governance while working closely with the Scheme on issues affecting Nigerian students.
According to Nafiu, NANS will now play a more active role in the pre-mobilisation process and other activities leading to the orientation course, noting that the association’s close relationship with students across tertiary institutions makes it a valuable stakeholder in the mobilisation process.
He added that the NYSC’s ongoing digital transformation and institutional reforms are designed to improve operational efficiency, transparency and service delivery nationwide.
Earlier, the Senate President of NANS, Comrade Moses Ikeabuchi, said the visit was aimed at identifying with the new NYSC leadership and exploring areas of collaboration that would benefit both organisations, particularly in corps mobilisation.
He pledged the association’s continued support for the Scheme and reaffirmed NANS’ commitment to working with the NYSC on initiatives that promote the welfare and development of Nigerian students and prospective Corps Members.
Also speaking, the National Vice President of NANS, Comrade Sadique Zango, commended the NYSC for its efforts in improving the welfare and accommodation of Corps Members. He called for increased engagement with students before mobilisation to ensure a more seamless orientation and national service experience.
