Former NYSC DG Tasks Successor on Unity and Youth Empowerment as Scheme Turns 53
By Victor Idajili
A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Maharazu Ismaila Tsiga (Rtd), has urged the current leadership to keep strengthening national unity and youth empowerment as the scheme approaches its 53rd anniversary.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the incumbent DG, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at his Kaduna home, Tsiga said the NYSC’s greatest strength lies in bringing young Nigerians together and driving development across the country.
According to the statement issued by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, Tsiga commended both NYSC staff and corps members for their steady contributions to keeping Nigeria united and advancing nation-building over the years. He described the staff as the “backbone” of the scheme and corps members as its “spine,” noting that their commitment has sustained its impact in every sector.
The former DG also called on management to do more to improve corps members’ welfare, saying better welfare would lift their morale and help them serve better. He recalled how, during his time in office from 2009 to 2011, he launched the “War Against Poverty (WAP)” programme, which gave corps members ₦250,000 each to start small businesses and become self-reliant after service.
On his part, General Nafiu thanked Tsiga for the work done during his tenure and said the visit was part of his ongoing effort to engage past chief executives and tap into their experience.
He added that the NYSC is currently expanding its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, programme to help reduce graduate unemployment. More partners, he said, have come on board recently to provide both technical and financial support for corps members.
At the same time, General Nafiu noted that the growing number of graduates entering the scheme due to the rise in corps-producing institutions is a major challenge. To manage this, the government has approved the mobilisation of 450,000 corps members for 2026.
