The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced plans to adopt and implement a standardised protocol for the inclusive handling of corps members with disabilities throughout the orientation course and the service year.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Jos at the opening ceremony of the 2026 NYSC pre-orientation workshop.
Nafiu said the initiative was aimed not only at compliance but also at promoting dignity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all corps members.
“It emphasises our commitment to leaving no one behind and positioning the NYSC as a humane, progressive and nationally responsive institution,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General described the pre-orientation workshop as a strategic platform rather than a routine administrative exercise, noting that it provided an opportunity for critical planning and reflection ahead of the orientation course.
According to him, the orientation course remains the bedrock of the entire NYSC service year, as it marks the beginning of service, shapes character and affirms citizenship.
“It is where service begins, character is forged, and citizenship is affirmed,” he said.
Nafiu stressed the need for continuous reimagining of the orientation programme to reflect national realities, global best practices and the evolving behaviour of Nigerian youths.
He noted that the workshop’s theme, “Revamping the NYSC Orientation Course Experience as a Foundation for Impactful Service by Corps Members,” aligns with the scheme’s goal of producing disciplined, patriotic and socially responsible citizens.
The NYSC boss commended the dedication and professionalism of management and camp officials, particularly applauding the successful conduct of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ orientation exercise, which he said demonstrated teamwork and institutional discipline.
He added that the 2026 workshop would feature innovative sessions, open-mic discussions to address emerging challenges, improved camp management strategies, enhanced stakeholder collaboration and the introduction of practical training modules to equip corps members with post-camp skills.
Nafiu urged participants to engage actively in the sessions to generate practical and actionable outcomes that would strengthen the orientation course nationwide.
The workshop commenced on Jan. 13 and will end on Jan. 16.