The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has said the deployment of corps members must be strictly guided by prevailing security conditions and relevant government policies to safeguard their lives and dignity.
Nafiu stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Batch A Pre-Mobilisation Workshop, themed “Enhancing Service Delivery Across the NYSC Mobilisation Value Chain.”
He stressed that the safety, welfare and dignity of corps members remained non-negotiable, warning that any mobilisation process that compromised those values undermined the very essence of national service.
“Deployment decisions should be guided by current security conditions, existing government policies, and the principles of equity, fairness and transparency,” he said.
According to him, any mobilisation exercise that endangered corps members struck at the heart of the NYSC mandate, adding that management was committed to handling the process with patriotism, integrity and professionalism.
Describing mobilisation as the heartbeat of the scheme, Nafiu noted that when conducted with precision and integrity, the entire service year ran smoothly. He explained that the process involved multiple stakeholders, including Corps Producing Institutions, regulatory bodies, technology and data platforms, as well as security and welfare coordination mechanisms.
However, he observed that weaknesses persisted across several points of the mobilisation chain, leading to outcomes that fell short of expectations. He said these shortcomings must be addressed decisively ahead of the 2026 Batch A exercise.
The NYSC boss identified recurring challenges linked to some CPIs, such as violations of mobilisation guidelines, uploading of unqualified graduates, inconsistent academic records, data discrepancies, record manipulation and weak internal verification systems.
He said such practices eroded the credibility of the mobilisation process and exposed the scheme to operational and reputational risks, urging heads of institutions to strengthen oversight and ensure continuous training for desk officers.
Nafiu also acknowledged internal operational gaps within the NYSC, including inconsistent application of guidelines, weak inter-departmental coordination, delays in resolving issues and undue human interference in automated processes.
“These gaps diminish institutional efficiency and gradually undermine public trust,” he said.
He assured that management was committed to stricter adherence to standard operating procedures, improved collaboration, stronger monitoring, and enhanced professionalism and ethical conduct at all levels.
On technology and data management, Nafiu said that despite progress in digital mobilisation, challenges such as poor data quality, limited technical skills, resistance to automation and weak feedback mechanisms persisted.
“Technology should serve as an enabler of service delivery, not a source of frustration,” he said, calling for sustained capacity building, regular system audits and minimal human intervention in automated processes.
He further identified gaps in stakeholder coordination and communication as sources of avoidable bottlenecks, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, regular review meetings and data-driven decision-making anchored on clear timelines and responsibilities.
Looking ahead, Nafiu said the mobilisation process must be repositioned to become more efficient, transparent, accountable and people-centred.
“This involves delivering timely and accurate outcomes, free from undue influence, with clear accountability for actions and inactions, while remaining responsive to the needs of prospective corps members and stakeholders,” he said.
He urged participants to see the workshop as an avenue for honest engagement, practical solutions and measurable reforms, noting that the credibility of the NYSC depended largely on the integrity of its mobilisation process.
“The credibility of the NYSC Scheme depends on the integrity of its mobilisation process. It is the first promise we make to every young Nigerian who answers the call to serve, and it must never be broken,” he added.
In her remarks, the Director of the Corps Mobilisation Department, Mrs Racheal Idaewor, described the pre-mobilisation workshop as a critical platform for strengthening collaboration between the NYSC, CPIs and other stakeholders.
She said the workshop reflected the scheme’s commitment to improving mobilisation processes and sustaining stakeholder trust and confidence.
Idaewor noted that Information and Communication Technology remained one of the scheme’s greatest assets, despite associated challenges, adding that effective use of advanced data management systems and digital tools would further streamline mobilisation.
She urged Student Affairs Officers to carry out their duties with diligence and integrity, ensuring that data submitted accurately reflected the profiles of prospective corps members.
