In a momentous transition at the helm of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu officially stepped into his new role as the 23rd Director-General on the 6th of March, 2025.
At the handover ceremony in Abuja, Nafiu made a firm commitment to placing corps members and staff at the heart of his administration.
Promising a leadership style rooted in transparency and efficiency, he emphasized a vision where young Nigerians undergoing the service year would have an enriching and rewarding experience.
“The well-being of corps members will always be a top priority. We will work hard to ensure that their service is one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” he assured.
Beyond welfare, he pledged to strengthen initiatives aimed at preparing corps members for life after service, particularly the job-matching programme designed to bridge the gap between corps members and private-sector employment.
“It will also be aimed at incentivizing employers to retain a significant number of our corps members after their service year,” he stated, reinforcing his vision of a seamless transition from service to career.
Taking over from Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, Nafiu also set his sights on improving the overall camp experience, promising enhanced feeding and hygiene standards.
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“My team and I shall work tirelessly to enhance camp feeding and hygiene,” he declared.
Recognizing the NYSC’s long-standing role in fostering national unity since its inception in 1973, he called on staff to lead by example and instill the core values of service and discipline in corps members.
A seasoned military officer with a distinguished career, Nafiu previously served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff. His academic credentials include a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, a Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a BSc in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
As he embarks on this new journey, all eyes are on Nafiu to deliver on his promises and redefine the NYSC experience for a new generation of Nigerian youth.