President Bola Tinubu has approved 50,000 additional slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps mobilisation in response to growing numbers of graduates awaiting enlistment for the mandatory national service.
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director General of NYSC, announced the development on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the remodelled clinic at the scheme's National Directorate Headquarters, marking his first anniversary in office.
The NYSC boss revealed that with the new addition, approximately 450,000 prospective corps members will be mobilised in 2026, explaining that the extra slots had already been captured in the scheme's 2026 budget.
"In response to this agitation, this issue of long waits for mobilisation, Mr President, in the 2026 budget approved an additional 50,000 corps members for mobilisation," Nafiu stated.
He disclosed that further provisions had been secured in the federal government's 2027 budget cycle to improve the quality of corps members' kits, feeding, and transportation allowances.
The Director General explained that mobilisation has grown significantly since the scheme's establishment in 1973, noting that NYSC started with less than 10 or 12 corps producing institutions in 1972, mobilising 2,364 corps members.
"Today we have over 400 corps producing institutions turning out around 600,000 graduates yearly," Nafiu noted, adding that not all graduates are eligible for the scheme each year, as some receive exemptions whilst professionals such as medical doctors and lawyers undergo additional training before mobilisation.
He attributed some delays experienced by prospective corps members to institutions failing to upload senate approved lists on the NYSC portal in time, revealing that some graduates also decline mobilisation after being posted to certain states.
The NYSC boss emphasised that the scheme avoids deploying corps members to high risk locations, stressing commitment to safety and welfare.
"This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective Corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones. We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children," he stated.
Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, who inaugurated the remodelled clinic, commended Nafiu for impactful leadership within his first year, describing the upgraded facility as reflecting commitment to staff and corps member welfare.
The minister urged corps members to avoid travelling at night, advising them to locate the nearest military barracks, police station, or NYSC office when travelling late.
