President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the mobilisation of an additional 50,000 graduates into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for 2026, a move aimed at reducing delays and expanding opportunities for Nigerian graduates awaiting national service.
The announcement was made by the NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, during the commissioning of a newly remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.
Addressing mobilisation delays
Brigadier-General Nafiu explained that the presidential approval forms part of the government’s effort to tackle the long waiting period faced by many graduates before they can begin their national service.
“In response to concerns about long mobilisation queues, Mr President approved an additional 50,000 corps members in the 2026 budget,” he said.
With the new allocation, the NYSC plans to mobilise about 418,000 graduates in 2026.
Nafiu also noted that the NYSC scheme has grown significantly since it was established in 1973. At the time, only a handful of institutions participated, mobilising 2,364 corps members. Today, Nigeria has more than 400 corps-producing institutions, generating roughly 600,000 graduates each year.
However, he explained that not all graduates are mobilised immediately, as some receive exemptions or must complete additional professional training, particularly in fields such as medicine and law.
Safety and welfare priorities
The NYSC Director-General also addressed safety concerns surrounding corps member postings. According to him, the scheme takes deliberate steps to avoid deploying participants to high-risk areas and limits placements in sensitive locations to major cities.
He added that the welfare and security of corps members remain a top priority for the organisation.
The newly remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters, he said, reflects the agency’s commitment to improving healthcare support for both staff and corps members.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended Nafiu for his leadership and urged corps members to prioritise their safety.
He specifically advised graduates to avoid travelling at night while the government continues to explore additional insurance and protection measures for participants in the scheme.
