The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to adopt a standardised protocol for the handling of Corps Members with disabilities during the Orientation Course and throughout the service year.
The Director-General (DG), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this in his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Orientation Workshop, themed “Revamping the NYSC Orientation Course Experience as a Foundation for Impactful Service by Corps Members,” held in Jos, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
He said the initiative, which is in furtherance of the Scheme’s welfare strategies for Corps Members, would focus not only on compliance but also on dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
“It underscores our commitment to leaving no one behind and positioning the NYSC as a humane, progressive, and nationally responsive institution.
“Equally crucial is using emotional intelligence and showing empathy in all interactions with Corps Members and Camp officials,” he said.
General Nafiu stressed that the Orientation Course, being the bedrock of a successful service year, must continuously reflect national realities, global best practices, and the dynamics of youth behaviour.
He noted that the course must ensure relevance, quality, and measurable outcomes that would enable Corps Members to integrate seamlessly into their host communities and transition into productive and impactful lives beyond national service.
“It is in this context that the Pre-Orientation Workshop becomes essential because it will analyze emerging challenges and develop practical improvements that will genuinely enhance the National Service experiences and effectively address modern realities,” he said.
The DG commended NYSC officials and personnel of partner agencies for their teamwork, which enabled the Scheme to record tremendous successes during previous Orientation exercises.
General Nafiu charged participants at the workshop to generate ideas that would positively impact Corps Members through innovative approaches, operational efficiency, and institutional intelligence, while also ensuring improved Camp management and robust stakeholder engagement.
“We expect technology-driven engagements and innovative contributions to transform the Orientation Course into a dynamic launchpad for transformative National Service that would prepare Corps Members not just to serve, but to lead, innovate, and make significant impact on national development,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Nura Umar, said the theme of the workshop was strategic, as it underscored the importance of the Orientation Course in shaping the mindset, conduct, and overall experience of Corps Members.
He stated that the Orientation Course would instill discipline, patriotism, and other core NYSC values in Corps Members.
According to him, the workshop would review the conduct of the previous Orientation Exercise, identify operational challenges, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration with a view to providing improved services in Camp.