The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on state governments across the country to provide permanent orientation camps to enhance the welfare and training of corps members.
Nafiu made the appeal on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the nearly completed permanent NYSC orientation camp at Boltongo, Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area in Gombe State.
The NYSC boss, who earlier held a town hall meeting with corps members at the temporary orientation camp in Amada, expressed satisfaction with the welfare arrangements and overall conduct of the ongoing 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation exercise.
Speaking during the visit, Nafiu said the provision of permanent orientation facilities was a statutory responsibility of host state governments and essential for the effective implementation of the scheme.
“We are in Gombe as part of the routine visits by the Director-General to orientation camps during the ongoing 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation course. I came to assess the camp, the welfare of corps members, their training and everything connected with the orientation programme, and I am pleased with what I have observed so far,” he said.
According to him, more than 85 per cent of corps members deployed to Gombe were visiting the state for the first time, underscoring the NYSC’s role in promoting national unity and cultural integration.
“The state government and the people of Gombe have received the corps members very well. Over 85 per cent of the corps members indicated that they came to Gombe for the first time because of their deployment. That is the essence of the scheme — fostering cultural integration and national cohesion,” he added.
Nafiu acknowledged that the current temporary camp at Amada faces challenges, particularly water supply, but noted that the permanent site at Boltongo had been designed to address such concerns.
“Water is the major challenge where we are presently operating temporarily, but His Excellency’s administration has taken that into consideration. We have seen the water treatment plant, solar power facilities and a well-planned layout. Everything looks good and well put in place,” he said.
The NYSC DG expressed optimism that the facility would soon be completed and commissioned for use.
“We are hopeful that the state will expedite action so that this facility can be commissioned in the near future, possibly before the commencement of Batch B Stream II orientation exercise,” he stated.
He revealed that security assessments had also been conducted at the new camp in collaboration with military authorities and other security agencies.
“I came with the commander of the military unit in this area to assess the security situation around the facility. We will work with other security and intelligence agencies to ensure that this place is safe and secure for the use of the scheme,” he said.
Nafiu commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for investing in the project and urged other governors to emulate the gesture.
“I want to appreciate His Excellency and the Government of Gombe State for providing a conducive orientation facility for NYSC. This should serve as an example for other states. Lagos has built a permanent orientation camp, Adamawa is doing the same, and several others are renovating theirs. My journey has been fruitful and I have good news to take back to Abuja,” he said.
The DG also highlighted the importance of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a critical strategy for tackling unemployment among Nigerian youths.
“Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development are major components of the scheme. It is our own way of helping to reduce unemployment and keep young people productively engaged after service. Government cannot employ everyone. We are encouraging corps members to become employers of labour by starting businesses that can create jobs for others,” he said.
He added that the scheme was partnering with government ministries, departments and agencies to facilitate access to grants and low-interest loans for young entrepreneurs.
“We are working with relevant agencies to provide funding opportunities, grants and single-digit loans with friendly repayment terms. Our goal is to create employers of labour and build a workforce that contributes meaningfully to the economy,” he added.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator in Gombe, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, expressed delight over the Director-General’s visit and commended Governor Yahaya for supporting the completion of the permanent orientation camp.
“I am excited that the Director-General came to see our camp. I also want to thank the Governor because without his support this project would not have been possible. I believe we will soon begin using this new facility,” she said.
