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By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has inaugurated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Staff E-Training Portal, calling for continuous innovation and skills development to improve the effectiveness of the Scheme.
Olawande spoke during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop held in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the NYSC.
The Minister commended the NYSC leadership for introducing innovations aimed at improving workplace efficiency, describing the Scheme’s technology-driven transformation and increased access to knowledge for staff as commendable.
He said the newly launched portal would promote a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce.
“This platform would also help to build more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed towards making the Scheme get better, let us work together and embrace technology,” Olawande said in a statement by his Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, on Monday.
The Minister said academic qualifications alone could not address the growing challenges of unemployment, stressing the need for Corps Members to acquire practical skills.
He identified leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving as essential competencies for young graduates.
According to him, Corps Members must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity and personal responsibility, while being encouraged to make meaningful contributions to society.
Olawande reiterated that the service year should provide graduates with opportunities to serve, lead and contribute to national development.
He also described the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as the most important content of the NYSC at present.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said changing societal realities had made it necessary for the Scheme to regularly review its Orientation Course contents.
Nafiu said the workshop, themed “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” was designed to shape the character, mindset, skills and civic awareness of Corps Members.
He noted that the success of the Orientation Course depended largely on effective collaboration among stakeholders.
“I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country,” he said.
The NYSC DG assured that the Scheme’s management would continue to work with security agencies to assess risks, take pre-emptive measures and ensure the safety of Corps Members throughout their service year.
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NYSC, Mr Nura Umar, appreciated the Minister for his commitment to youth development.
Umar described the Orientation Camp as the first point of contact for Corps Members as they commence their service year, stressing the need to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.
He called for the rebuilding and modernisation of the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure its alignment with contemporary realities.
He urged participants to develop strategies that would strengthen stakeholder relationships, improve the welfare and safety of Corps Members, enhance camp administration, promote discipline and leadership development, and deepen the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.