The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has stated that the posting of corps members across the country must be determined by prevailing security realities and applicable government policies.
He made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the keynote address at the 2026 Batch A Pre-Mobilisation Workshop, which focused on “Enhancing Service Delivery Across the NYSC Mobilisation Value Chain.”
Nafiu emphasised that the protection, wellbeing and dignity of corps members were fundamental and could not be compromised, warning that any mobilisation exercise that put these values at risk struck at the very foundation of the national service scheme. According to him, deployment choices must align with current security assessments, established government directives and the ideals of fairness, balance and openness.
He noted that any mobilisation arrangement that exposed corps members to danger or stripped them of dignity weakened the essence of national service, stressing that NYSC leadership remained resolute in carrying out this duty with loyalty and uprightness. Nafiu described mobilisation as the central engine of the scheme, explaining that when the process was handled with accuracy and honesty, the entire service year unfolded without major disruptions.
The NYSC boss explained that mobilisation was a complex process involving multiple actors, including Corps Producing Institutions, regulatory bodies, digital and data systems, as well as security and welfare coordination frameworks. He observed, however, that shortcomings still existed at various stages of the mobilisation chain, producing results that did not meet expectations. He stressed that these issues must be firmly addressed ahead of the 2026 Batch A exercise.
Nafiu pointed to recurring problems linked to some institutions, such as breaches of mobilisation rules, the uploading of ineligible graduates, conflicting academic records, data inconsistencies, manipulation of records and weak internal verification processes. He said these practices damaged the integrity of mobilisation and exposed the scheme to operational and reputational dangers, urging institutional heads to strengthen supervision and prioritise regular training for relevant officers.
He also admitted that internal challenges existed within the NYSC itself, including uneven application of guidelines, poor coordination among departments, slow resolution of issues and excessive human interference in automated systems. According to him, such weaknesses reduced efficiency and slowly eroded public confidence in the scheme.
Nafiu assured participants that management was committed to enforcing standard procedures, boosting collaboration, tightening monitoring mechanisms and promoting professionalism and ethical behaviour at every level. On the use of technology, he acknowledged improvements in digital mobilisation but said issues like poor data quality, inadequate technical capacity, resistance to automation and weak feedback structures still persisted.
“Technology should serve as an enabler of service delivery, not a source of frustration,” he said, calling for continuous skills development, routine system checks and reduced human interference in automated processes. He also highlighted lapses in coordination and communication among stakeholders, describing them as avoidable obstacles that slowed down mobilisation.
He stressed the importance of deeper cooperation among agencies, frequent review sessions and decisions driven by data, supported by clear timelines and defined responsibilities. Looking ahead, Nafiu said the mobilisation framework must be reshaped to become more efficient, transparent, accountable and people-centred.
He explained that this meant producing timely and accurate outcomes, free from improper influence, with clear responsibility for actions and failures, while staying responsive to the needs of intending corps members and stakeholders. He added that achieving this vision would require a deliberate shift from mere routine compliance to a mindset built around service excellence.
Nafiu encouraged participants to treat the workshop as an avenue for frank discussions, workable solutions and measurable improvements, noting that the credibility of the NYSC rested heavily on the integrity of its mobilisation system.
“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 said.
Also speaking, the Director of the Corps Mobilisation Department, Mrs Racheal Idaewor, described the pre-mobilisation workshop as an essential forum for deepening cooperation between the NYSC, Corps Producing Institutions and other partners. She said the engagement reflected the scheme’s resolve to strengthen processes that supported mobilisation while maintaining stakeholder trust and confidence.
Idaewor noted that Information and Communication Technology remained one of the NYSC’s strongest tools, despite the difficulties associated with its use. She said that proper deployment of advanced data systems and digital platforms would further simplify mobilisation procedures. She urged Student Affairs Officers to perform their responsibilities conscientiously and honestly, ensuring that submitted data truly represented the details of prospective corps members.
What you should know
The NYSC mobilisation process determines how graduates are cleared, posted and managed during their service year, making it central to the scheme’s credibility.
Security concerns, data integrity and institutional compliance have increasingly shaped deployment decisions in recent years due to safety challenges across parts of Nigeria. The NYSC leadership is pushing reforms to reduce human interference, strengthen technology use and improve coordination among institutions.
These efforts are aimed at protecting corps members, restoring public trust and ensuring that mobilisation remains transparent, efficient and fair as preparations intensify for the 2026 Batch A service year.
