The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has cautioned employers against rejecting or mistreating corps members posted to their organisations. The State Coordinator, Alhaji Usman Yakubu-Yaro, issued the warning on Monday during the 2025 Corps Employers’ Workshop in Sokoto, themed “The Role of Employers.”
Yakubu-Yaro called for prioritising the welfare and safety of corps members to ensure a productive and impactful national service experience.
“Corps members deserve adequate protection and welfare if we are to maximise the value of their service,” he stated.
He expressed concern over the growing number of corps member rejections, noting that in some cases, the corps members themselves manipulate postings to avoid less desirable locations.
“This trend is unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of the scheme,” he said.
The NYSC official also highlighted issues such as underutilisation, delayed clearance for deserving corps members, abscondment from duty, lack of support for Community Development Service (CDS) projects, and inadequate accommodation at many primary assignments.
He said the workshop was intended to foster dialogue among stakeholders on how to strengthen NYSC operations and better support corps members.
“The NYSC remains committed to its founding objectives and has made significant progress over the years,” he said, describing the scheme as a vital tool for national unity and socio-economic development.
Yakubu-Yaro added that the partnership between corps employers and NYSC management has played a key role in developing the skills of young Nigerians during their service year.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the NYSC Governing Board and Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Hajia Hadiza Galadima, reiterated the state government’s commitment to corps members’ welfare.
“Corps members are rendering national service. It is our duty to ensure their safety and support wherever they are posted,” she said.
Dr Okoro Robertson, a resource person from Shehu Shagari College of Education, urged employers to avoid redeploying corps members without valid reasons, stating that such practices undermine the scheme’s goal of national integration.
He also recommended that NYSC ensure corps members are assigned to institutions willing and able to support them properly. Stronger performance monitoring, he added, would further improve the scheme’s effectiveness.
The event featured group discussions and stakeholder feedback sessions to assess the scheme’s strengths and identify opportunities for nationwide improvement.
