NYSC to Mobilize 450,000 Graduates by 2026

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to mobilize 450,000 graduates in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's workforce and address unemployment challenges. Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, the Director General of NYSC, disclosed this during a speech at the temporary orientation camp for Batch Stream II corps members deployed to Kaduna State.

He noted that the annual mobilization of hundreds of thousands of graduates demonstrates NYSC's growing role in supplying manpower to the nation's economy. Nafiu emphasized that the NYSC scheme is not solely focused on deploying graduates into the labor market but also aims to equip them with practical skills to navigate employment challenges.

He stressed the need for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector, which plays a dominant role in job creation globally. Nafiu encouraged corps members to take advantage of the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programs introduced during the orientation, which are expected to reduce unemployment and enhance self-reliance among Nigerian graduates.