NYSC to mobilise over 650,000 graduates for national service

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has revealed plans to mobilise more than 650,000 graduates from Nigerian and foreign tertiary institutions for the mandatory one-year national service in 2026.

Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Corps at the seventh National Day of Identity, organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Oluseye explained that about 400,000 graduates participated in the NYSC scheme this year, adding that the projected figure for next year highlights the increasing importance of the programme in fostering national unity and youth development.

Highlighting the essence of National Identity Numbers (NIN) in the mobilisation of Corps members, the NYSC DG recalled that in 2023, an investigative journalist who attempted to register as a Corps member was identified after making multiple attempts through the registration portal.

Oluseye, who did not state the motive behind the journalist’s attempts, explained that the system the agency had put in place exposed the individual through his email, phone numbers, and passport.

According to him, it is now practically impossible for any individual who has passed through the system to attempt to be mobilised as a Corps member, or anyone who has nothing to do with NYSC to be mobilised.

The NYSC DG applauded the collaboration between NIMC and the agency, saying it has helped to eliminate multiple registrations and fraudulent enrolment.

He described the process of Corps mobilisation as faster and clearer at the moment, adding that noticeable challenges were also being addressed.