NYSC to Strengthen Skills, Values Training for Corps Members Ahead of 2026 Batch B Orientation
Oru Leonard
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has announced plans to deepen skills acquisition, values orientation and citizenship training for prospective corps members as part of efforts to enhance the impact of its orientation programme on national development.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop.
He described the orientation course as a critical platform for shaping responsible citizens and empowering young Nigerians with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
According to Nafiu, the orientation programme must remain a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that orientation camps should serve as centres for impactful learning, renewed patriotism and responsible citizenship.
The NYSC boss noted that the steady increase in the number of prospective corps members requires greater commitment from state governments in providing adequate and functional orientation camp facilities.
He said the growing corps population presents both logistical challenges and opportunities for the Scheme to expand its developmental impact across the country.
“Effectively managing this growing number of Corps Members presents not only logistical challenges but also an opportunity to expand our developmental impact as a Scheme. By aligning orientation content with national priorities, we can ensure that a larger intake yields better results,” he said.
Nafiu urged camp officials to maintain high ethical standards and serve as role models for corps members, warning that misconduct by staff or participants would not be tolerated.
He also called for the integration of digital literacy and responsible online engagement into orientation activities, noting that corps members should be equipped to use digital platforms positively for community development and civic engagement.
The Director-General further emphasized the need for sustained security awareness in orientation camps, stressing the importance of close collaboration with security agencies to guarantee the safety of corps members and camp personnel.
Earlier, the NYSC Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Nura Umar, said the workshop was convened to assess the successes and challenges of previous orientation courses and develop strategies for improving future exercises.
Umar explained that the workshop, themed “Strengthening the Orientation Course to Advance National Priorities and Contemporary Challenges,” highlights the crucial role of the orientation programme in shaping the character, discipline and service experience of corps members.
He added that the orientation course remains a vital tool for instilling patriotism, national values and discipline among Nigerian youths, urging participants to draw lessons from past experiences to improve camp management and service delivery.
