The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has emphasized that the deployment of corps members must be guided by prevailing security conditions, government policies, and principles of fairness and transparency.

Nafiu made the remarks during his keynote address at the 2026 Batch A Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, themed “Enhancing Service Delivery Across the NYSC Mobilisation Value Chain.” According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he stressed that the safety, welfare, and dignity of corps members remain non-negotiable, warning that any mobilisation process that compromises these values strikes at the heart of national service.

“Deployment decisions should be guided by current security conditions, existing government policies, and the principles of equity, fairness and transparency,” he said.

The NYSC DG described mobilisation as the heartbeat of the scheme, noting that when conducted with precision and integrity, the entire service year proceeds smoothly. He highlighted that the mobilisation process involves multiple stakeholders, including Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), regulatory agencies, technology platforms, and security and welfare coordination mechanisms.

Nafiu identified persistent challenges across the mobilisation chain, such as:

• Violations of mobilisation guidelines by some CPIs
• Uploading of unqualified graduates
• Inconsistent academic records and data discrepancies
• Weak internal verification systems

These issues, he said, undermine the credibility of the scheme and pose operational and reputational risks. He called on institutional heads to strengthen oversight and ensure continuous training for desk officers.

Acknowledging internal gaps within NYSC, Nafiu cited inconsistent application of guidelines, weak inter-departmental coordination, delays in issue resolution, and undue human interference in automated processes.

On technology and data management, he noted that despite digital progress, challenges remain, including poor data quality, limited technical skills, resistance to automation, and weak feedback mechanisms.

“Technology should serve as an enabler of service delivery, not a source of frustration,” he said, urging regular system audits, minimal human interference in automated processes, and sustained capacity building.

Nafiu also stressed the importance of strong stakeholder coordination and communication, calling for inter-agency collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and clear timelines and responsibilities.

Looking forward, he said the mobilisation process must be efficient, transparent, accountable, and people-focused, delivering timely and accurate results free from undue influence, with clear accountability for actions and inactions.

“Achieving this will require a collective shift from routine compliance to a culture of service excellence,” he added.