The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has encouraged Corps Members posted as teachers to work towards upgrading the learning standards in their host communities. He made this call during his visit to the 2025 Batch C Corps Members deployed to Kebbi State at the temporary Orientation Camp in Basaura, Jega Local Government Area.
Nafiu urged those serving in schools to assess current academic outcomes and set bold targets for improvement. He told them to pay close attention to subjects like Mathematics, English, and the sciences. According to him, if a school consistently records a 30% pass rate in English, Corps Members should challenge themselves to raise it to 60% or 70%. He stated that making such progress should be a source of pride for them.
He also reminded the Corps Members to build friendships across ethnic and geopolitical boundaries, noting that such relationships form the basis for a united and successful nation. The Director-General further advised them to embrace the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. He said, “Your one year should give you two returns: Certificate of National Service and a marketable skill.”
Nafiu encouraged Corps Members to tap into cross-regional business opportunities and consider self-employment as a viable pathway. He noted that many successful private sector players began their journeys as Corps Members. To support such efforts, he explained that the NYSC was working with partners, including the Bank of Industry, NNPC, Kudimata, Wema Bank, and Access Bank, to provide grants and loans that can help young entrepreneurs execute their business plans.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Bala Dabo, briefed the DG that although the Orientation Camp in Kebbi is temporary, it is equipped with facilities for smooth operations. He added that 567 Corps Members had been registered for the current Orientation Course.
