NYSC, NANS Strengthen Partnership on Corps Mobilisation, Youth Development
Oru Leonard
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have agreed to deepen collaboration in key areas, including corps mobilisation, youth development and entrepreneurship, as part of efforts to strengthen the Scheme’s operations and improve service delivery.
Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, gave the assurance while receiving members of the National Executive Council of NANS during a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
Nafiu said the Scheme remains committed to sustaining a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the student body, noting that NANS has been a dependable partner since the inception of the NYSC.
He explained that the Scheme’s core mandate is to promote national unity and integration, stressing that its success over the years has been made possible through the support of Nigerian students, who eventually become Corps Members upon graduation.
The Director-General also reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to strengthening its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to complement the Federal Government’s drive to reduce unemployment and equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance.
He urged NANS to continue playing an active role in supporting Nigeria’s democratic process through constructive engagement in public policy and national development initiatives.
Nafiu further disclosed that the association would be involved in the pre-mobilisation process and other activities leading to the Orientation Course, describing NANS as a strategic stakeholder capable of providing valuable support because of its close interaction with students across tertiary institutions.
According to him, the ongoing digital transformation and reforms within the NYSC are aimed at repositioning the Scheme for greater operational efficiency, transparency and improved service delivery.
Earlier, NANS Senate President, Comrade Moses Ikeabuchi, said the visit was to identify with the new NYSC leadership and explore areas of collaboration, particularly in corps mobilisation, for the benefit of both organisations.
He assured the Director-General of the association’s continued support, pledging that NANS would remain a constructive partner on issues affecting Nigerian students and prospective Corps Members.
Also speaking, the National Vice President of NANS, Comrade Sadique Zango, commended the NYSC for its commitment to the welfare and accommodation of Corps Members. He called for stronger engagement between the Scheme and students before mobilisation to ensure a smoother orientation and national service experience.
