Employers Urged to Harness Corps Members’ Potential for National Development
Oru Leonard
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on employers across Nigeria to create enabling environments that allow corps members to maximize their potential and contribute meaningfully to societal growth.
Nafiu made the call during the launch of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Innovation Space, tagged “idea2impact,” held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized that corps members are critical solution providers who require mentorship, guidance, and effective leadership to thrive. According to him, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as private organizations, must tap into the diverse skills and experiences of young graduates serving under the NYSC scheme. “The youths we have at NYSC are solution providers. I challenge MDAs, private entities, and other establishments to harness their wealth of experience to develop solutions that benefit society,” Nafiu said.
The NYSC DG commended NITDA for providing a platform that enables corps members to showcase their creativity and ingenuity, describing the idea2impact initiative as a viable pathway for innovation and opportunity.
He reaffirmed the continued relevance of the NYSC scheme, noting that it remains a vital tool for youth development and national integration.
Nafiu also disclosed that the scheme has introduced several technological advancements, including the digitization of corps members’ identity cards, to improve efficiency and service delivery.
In his remarks, Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reiterated the agency’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to adapt to the evolving information and communication technology (ICT) landscape.
He stressed the importance of strategic career planning and skill acquisition, urging corps members to position themselves for opportunities in the labour market.
Drawing from his personal experience as a former corps member and a Computer Science graduate, Inuwa encouraged participants to take full advantage of their service year by building relevant skills and increasing their visibility.
“You need to promote yourself. Hard work alone may not be enough—you must be assertive to achieve your goals,” he said.
He further revealed that several corps members who served with NITDA have made significant contributions to the agency’s operations, including developing innovative solutions used internally. One such contribution, he noted, supported the agency’s artificial intelligence transformation drive.
Inuwa added that NITDA remains a platform for young talents to grow, with outstanding corps members having opportunities for retention based on merit.
The idea2impact initiative is part of ongoing efforts to foster innovation, empower youths, and drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda
