The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Olakunle Nafiu, has challenged corps members to justify the huge public investment in education by becoming productive, self-reliant and committed citizens, warning that no nation can survive without dedicated youths.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with the 2026 Batch B Stream I corps members at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State on Tuesday, Nafiu said government heavily subsidises education because it expects young graduates to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Education is highly subsidised by government because government expects something in return. Any country without committed youths is doomed,” he said.
The NYSC boss urged corps members to take advantage of the service year to build relationships across ethnic and regional divides, describing the scheme as one of Nigeria’s strongest tools for national integration.
He noted that more than 85 per cent of the corps members posted to Gombe were visiting the state for the first time and encouraged them to explore its opportunities rather than seek redeployment.
“Gombe is known as the Jewel of the Savannah. Many of you are seeing the state for the first time. By the time you leave camp and settle into your places of primary assignment, you will appreciate the state even more,” he said.
In a light-hearted warning to those planning to relocate, Nafiu remarked: “I hope some of you have not already sent your belongings ahead in anticipation of relocation. It is not approved. You better call them back.”
The Director-General stressed that one of the greatest benefits of the NYSC scheme is the network corps members build during service, urging them to cultivate friendships that could shape their future careers and opportunities.
“Here among you are future governors, legislators, chief executives of major companies and perhaps even a future president. Build relationships now. If you don’t nurture those friendships today, you may struggle tomorrow to reconnect with people you once shared a platoon with,” he said.
Nafiu also used the occasion to promote entrepreneurship, advising corps members to develop a savings culture and invest in small businesses rather than waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs.
“If you save N15,000 every month for ten months, you will have N150,000. Add your final allowance payments and you already have enough capital to start something. Not every graduate must wait for government employment,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from renowned fashion entrepreneur Seyi Vodi, the NYSC DG said success often begins with modest investments.
“Seyi Vodi started with one sewing machine purchased with his NYSC allowance. Today he owns a thriving fashion empire and employs hundreds of people. You too can start small and grow big,” he added.
He disclosed that the NYSC was working with partners, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Bank of Industry, to provide grants, start-up support and business kits to corps members, but stressed that beneficiaries must first demonstrate initiative and commitment.
Earlier, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachuku, revealed that 1,349 corps members comprising 649 males and 700 females were registered for the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation exercise in the state.
According to her, the corps members have adjusted well to camp life, maintained discipline and actively participated in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Nwachuku also highlighted the robust security architecture around the camp, disclosing that personnel of the Nigerian Air Force’s 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group have been conducting aerial drone surveillance to enhance security.
She, however, lamented the challenges associated with operating a temporary orientation camp.
“The temporary nature of the camp makes long-term planning difficult. Facilities provided after every orientation exercise are often vandalised or rendered unusable because of excessive use,” she said.
The coordinator further identified erratic electricity supply, heavy reliance on generators and the absence of a multipurpose hall as major constraints affecting camp operations.
She appealed for sustained support to improve infrastructure and create a more conducive environment for future orientation exercises.