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NYSC Decries Rising Rejection of Corps Members, Urges Employers to Foster Supportive Work Environments

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has raised an alarm over the increasing trend of corps members being rejected by their assigned employers, a situation that is becoming a growing concern for the scheme. During the 2025 Annual NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop held in Jos, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, voiced these concerns. Represented by Mrs. Gbamisola Salami, the NYSC Deputy Director for the North-Central Zone, Nafiu underscored the critical role employers play in shaping the NYSC experience for corps members.

He pointed out that employers serve as the gateway for corps members to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their academic years. These organizations are meant to provide hands-on experience that helps these young graduates develop professionally and personally. Unfortunately, the rejection of corps members not only deprives them of this opportunity but also undermines the broader objectives of the NYSC scheme.

Beyond the issue of rejection, Nafiu also highlighted several other lapses observed during NYSC’s routine inspections. These include employers’ failure to request corps members, refusal to provide basic welfare support, and, in more troubling cases, subjecting corps members to poor or inhumane working conditions. He called on employers to be more empathetic and supportive, emphasizing the importance of creating a workplace atmosphere that enhances corps members’ well-being and productivity.

The NYSC DG stressed that cooperation between the scheme and employers is vital for ensuring the programme remains impactful. He appreciated employers who have consistently supported the scheme and expressed hope for stronger collaboration in the future.

Earlier, Mr. Jonathan Yavala, the Plateau State NYSC Coordinator, reiterated that the workshop was intended to build mutual understanding between corps members and employers. He described the theme—“Partners in Progress: Corps Employers’ Role in Enhancing Corps Members’ Well-being and Productivity”—as timely and relevant. According to Yavala, employers must see themselves not just as supervisors, but as mentors and partners in national development.

Also speaking, Plateau State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Musa Ashoms, applauded the NYSC for organizing the event. Declaring the workshop open, he emphasized the need for stakeholders to provide corps members with not just work placements, but also environments where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the society.

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