NYSC Oyo Calls for Supportive Workplaces to Unlock Corps Members’ Potential

The National Youth Service Corps, Oyo State has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the welfare, workplace experience and professional development of Corps Members by strengthening collaboration with Corps Employers and other key stakeholders at the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop.

The workshop, themed “Fine-Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare and Workplace Experience,” brought together representatives of public and private organisations, government agencies and other partners to deliberate on practical strategies for creating a more conducive and rewarding service year for Corps Members.

Welcoming participants to the workshop, the Oyo State Coordinator, Mr. Kayode Ola Peters, represented by the Assistant Director, Corps Inspection and Monitoring (CIM), Mrs Afolabi Racheal described Corps Employers as indispensable partners in the successful implementation of the NYSC Scheme.

He explained that the annual forum was designed to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen institutional partnerships and address emerging challenges affecting Corps Members’ deployment and workplace experience.

According to him, the quality of the work environment directly influences Corps Members’ productivity, professional growth and capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The State Coordinator urged employers to provide supportive workplaces where Corps Members are treated with dignity, adequately mentored and entrusted with responsibilities that reflect their academic qualifications, professional competence and career aspirations.

He further appealed to organisations to prioritise the welfare of Corps Members through the provision of safe accommodation where feasible, prompt payment of monthly allowances where applicable, transportation support and other incentives capable of boosting morale, enhancing productivity and encouraging excellent service delivery.

He stressed that Corps Members should never be regarded as temporary personnel but as valuable human resources whose innovation, creativity and youthful energy can significantly advance organisational objectives.

Delivering the keynote Address on behalf of the Director General of the NYSC, the Deputy Director, South West Area Office II, Mr. Oshinubi Kayode, emphasised that the workplace remains the primary platform through which Corps Members acquire practical experience, develop professional competencies and translate classroom knowledge into meaningful national service.

He stated that Corps Employers have a responsibility to assign duties relevant to Corps Members’ qualifications while providing effective mentorship, proper supervision and a supportive environment that enables them to maximise their potential and create lasting value for their host organisations and the nation.

Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Moradeyo Sunday Akinwale, commended the NYSC Management for sustaining initiatives that continually strengthen partnerships between the Scheme and Corps Employers.

He described the NYSC as one of Nigeria’s most enduring nation-building institutions, noting that since its establishment in 1973, the Scheme has remained a veritable platform for promoting national unity, cultural integration, leadership development and youth empowerment.

He further maintained that Corps Members should never be viewed as cheap labour but as highly resourceful young professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to organisational growth and national progress.

The workshop also featured engaging interactive sessions during which participants examined critical issues bordering on Corps Members’ welfare, workplace ethics, discipline, communication, conflict resolution and organisational expectations.

Corps Employers and stakeholders exchanged valuable experiences, while practical recommendations were advanced on improving service delivery, strengthening institutional cooperation and fostering healthier working relationships that would enhance the overall effectiveness of the Scheme.

The event culminated in two insightful paper presentations by seasoned resource persons who underscored the importance of effective mentorship, structured supervision and a healthy workplace culture in unlocking the full potential of Corps Members throughout their service year. 

Participants unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration with the NYSC, expressing confidence that stronger partnerships and greater investment in Corps Members’ welfare would not only enrich their service experience but also reinforce the Scheme’s enduring mandate of developing responsible, productive and patriotic citizens dedicated to national development.