The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) now mobilises about 400,000 corps members every year, marking a dramatic expansion from the 2,364 graduates deployed at its inception in 1973.
Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu disclosed this during a media parley in Abuja, describing the growth as evidence of Nigeria’s expanding tertiary education system and the scheme’s continuing relevance to national unity.
Nafiu said the NYSC mobilises graduates from 419 institutions across Nigeria, in addition to Nigerians trained abroad who return home to serve.
He noted that the scheme could deploy up to 600,000 corps members annually if budgetary allocations permitted.
According to him, the NYSC has modernised its mobilisation and registration processes, including timeline extensions whenever technical challenges occur.
He encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to return and fulfil their constitutional obligation, saying many eventually decide to remain in the country after service.
The DG stressed that the scheme remains open to all eligible graduates, including older Nigerians who could not serve earlier in life.
NYSC spokesperson, Mrs. Caroline Embu, commended journalists for balanced reporting and called for stronger collaboration in 2026.
