President Tinubu gives green light for extra 50,000 spots in next year's National Youth Service Corps intake

President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for an additional 50,000 eligible graduates to be mobilised in 2026, according to Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

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This move aims to address the delays in mobilisation and provide more opportunities for graduates awaiting national service, as announced by Nafiu on Friday in Abuja during the commissioning of a remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters, marking his one year in office.

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Nafiu stated that the approval is a direct response to the concerns raised by people, demonstrating that the government is committed to listening and taking action on issues that affect them, as evident in the 2026 budget which includes the mobilisation of the additional 50,000 corps members.

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The NYSC scheme has undergone significant expansion since its establishment in 1973, and with the new addition, it plans to mobilise 418,000 corps members in 2026, as the number of tertiary institutions across the country has increased, leading to a growth in mobilisation.

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According to Nafiu, the scheme started with less than 10 or 12 corps-producing institutions in 1972, mobilising 2,364 corps members, and has since grown to over 400 institutions producing around 600,000 graduates yearly.

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However, not all graduates are eligible for the scheme each year, as some receive exemptions, while professionals such as medical doctors and lawyers undergo additional training before mobilisation, as explained by Nafiu.

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The scheme is currently working with an automated system that regulates mobilisation and deployment processes, ensuring that prospective corps members are mobilised in an efficient and organised manner.

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Nafiu attributed some delays experienced by prospective corps members to institutions failing to upload Senate-approved lists on the NYSC portal in time, as well as some graduates declining mobilisation after being posted to certain states.

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The scheme prioritises the safety and security of corps members, avoiding deployment to high-risk locations, and when necessary, restricting them to state capitals and major cities, as stated by Nafiu.

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The management of the NYSC remains committed to the safety and welfare of corps members nationwide, with Nafiu emphasising that they owe parents the responsibility of securing the lives of their children.

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Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, commended Nafiu for his impactful leadership within his first year in office, highlighting the remodelled clinic as a reflection of the NYSC leadership's commitment to the welfare of staff and corps members.

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Olawande urged corps members to avoid travelling at night, citing recent security concerns, and assured that the Federal Government is working on additional measures, including insurance coverage, to strengthen the protection of corps members.

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The NYSC clinic was remodelled as part of initiatives to improve welfare services at the scheme's headquarters, which was established in 1973 to promote national unity and integration by deploying Nigerian graduates to serve in states that are not their states of origin.