The National Youth Service Corps says it will not tolerate any form of indiscipline as the 2026 Batch A orientation course for new corps members kicks off nationwide on January 21.
The warning was issued on Wednesday by the Director General of NYSC, Brig Gen. Olakunle Nafiu during a pre-orientation course workshop for staff in Jos, Plateau State.
Nafiu, while emphasising the importance of discipline, patriotism, and selfless service, stressed, “The orientation course must be reimagined to ensure relevance, quality, and measurable outcomes that enable corps members to integrate seamlessly into a flexible, responsive, and resilient platform that genuinely enhances the national service experience and effectively addresses modern realities.”
He also noted the need for camp officials to follow existing policies and operational guidelines, using emotional intelligence and empathy in interactions with corps members.
“State Coordinators must strictly follow existing policies and operational guidelines. Equally crucial is using emotional intelligence and showing empathy in all interactions with corps members and other camp participants,” he said.
The NYSC boss warned against reported cases of assaults involving camp officials and corps members, saying such incidents are unacceptable and undermine the values the scheme upholds.
The NYSC boss equally announced plans to adopt a standardised protocol for the inclusion and handling of corps members with disabilities.
The pre-orientation workshop had as its theme: “Revamping the NYSC orientation course experience as a foundation for impactful service by corps members .
Thus, Nafiu encouraged participants to engage and contribute meaningfully to the discussions, saying, “Let our talks yield practical, actionable strategies to strengthen the orientation course, enhance its relevance, and reaffirm its role in fostering national cohesion and development.
On his part, Umar Nura, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics of the National Youth Service Corps, in a welcome address, charged directors and state coordinators to remain steadfast, committed and disciplined in the discharge of their responsibilities, even as he expressed confidence that the pre-orientation course will achieve the desired result
“The pre-orientation workshop is a critical component of our preparatory process. It brings together top managers and stakeholders to review past exercises, identify challenges, and strengthen collaboration,” Nura dislosed.
The theme is focused on sustainable solutions for future exercises. I’m confident that with your dedication and professionalism, we’ll generate workable strategies to enhance the orientation exercise,” he maintained.
Our correspondent reports that the pre-orientation workshop aims to revamp the NYSC orientation course experience, providing corps members with practical skills for post-camp activities and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
Similarly, the workshop featured discussion sessions on emerging issues, including responsible technology integration and modern distractions.
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