By Julius Peter, Abuja

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has inaugurated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Staff E-Training Portal, describing it as a significant step towards building a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce within the Scheme.

Olawande, who spoke in Abuja during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop, said the Federal Ministry of Youth Development would continue to support the NYSC in its efforts to improve service delivery, embrace innovation and prepare Nigerian youths for the demands of a rapidly changing world.

The Minister commended the NYSC management for introducing innovations aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening the capacity of its personnel.

He expressed satisfaction with what he described as the technology-driven transformation of the NYSC in recent times, noting that improved access to knowledge and continuous professional development would enhance the effectiveness of staff members.

According to him, the newly inaugurated platform would provide an avenue for staff to acquire knowledge and develop competencies necessary for effective performance.

“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,” he said.

Olawande further stressed the need for the NYSC to remain responsive to changing realities, particularly the growing challenges of unemployment and the evolving requirements of the global labour market.

He noted that academic qualifications alone were no longer sufficient to guarantee employment or economic relevance, stressing the importance of equipping young Nigerians with practical and entrepreneurial skills.

“With the growing trend across the globe, academic qualifications alone cannot solve the problems of unemployment,” the Minister said.

He urged the NYSC to ensure that Corps Members were exposed to practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving during their service year.

“They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity and personal responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact,” he added.

The Minister described the mandatory national service year as an important period in the development of Nigerian graduates, urging Corps Members to see it not merely as a requirement but as an opportunity to serve the country, demonstrate leadership and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Olawande also identified the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as one of the most important components of the NYSC, given its potential to equip Corps Members with skills that could improve their employability and encourage entrepreneurship.

He called for continued investment in initiatives that would enable Corps Members to acquire practical competencies and become more economically productive after completing their service.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said the changing nature of society had made it necessary for the Scheme to constantly review the contents of its Orientation Course to ensure continued relevance.

He explained that the theme of the workshop, “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” was carefully chosen to address the need to prepare Corps Members for contemporary national and global challenges.

According to him, the Orientation Course remains a critical component of the NYSC programme because it provides the foundation for shaping the character, mindset, skills and civic consciousness of Corps Members.

Nafiu said the Scheme must continue to adapt its training programmes to reflect emerging realities while maintaining the core values of national unity, discipline, patriotism and service.

He emphasised that the success of the Orientation Course depended largely on effective collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly those responsible for the security and welfare of Corps Members.

“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,” the NYSC DG said.

He assured that the NYSC management remained committed to working closely with security agencies to identify potential risks, take preventive measures and ensure the safety of Corps Members throughout their service year.

“Management remains committed to working with security agencies to assess risk, take preemptive steps and make Corps Members safe throughout service year,” Nafiu stated.

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of the NYSC, Mr Nura Umar, in his address, commended the Minister for his commitment to youth development and his support for initiatives aimed at improving the quality of the national service programme.

Umar described the Orientation Camp as the first major point of contact between Corps Members and the NYSC at the beginning of their service year.

He said the period was therefore crucial to shaping their character, values, sense of responsibility and understanding of their role in national development.

According to him, the changing realities facing young Nigerians and the country at large had made it imperative to modernise the Orientation Course.

He stressed the need to review not only the content of the programme but also its methodology and mode of delivery.

Umar said there was a need to “rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remains focused and align with contemporary realities.”

He urged participants at the workshop to develop practical strategies for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, particularly in areas relating to the welfare and safety of Corps Members.

He also identified camp administration, discipline, leadership development and the enhancement of the SAED programme as key areas requiring sustained attention.

The workshop is expected to provide an avenue for stakeholders to examine the existing Orientation Course framework, identify areas requiring improvement and develop strategies for making the programme more responsive to the needs of Corps Members and the nation.

The introduction of the NYSC Staff E-Training Portal also signals the Scheme’s growing emphasis on digital learning and continuous capacity development for its workforce.

With increasing demands on public institutions to adopt technology, strengthen professional competence and improve service delivery, the initiative is expected to provide NYSC personnel with greater access to training and knowledge while supporting the Scheme’s broader reform objectives.

The development also aligns with the Ministry of Youth Development’s emphasis on equipping young Nigerians with the skills, values and practical experience required to contribute effectively to national development.

As the NYSC prepares for the 2026 Batch ‘C’ service year, stakeholders at the workshop are expected to focus on ensuring that the Orientation Course remains a strong platform for developing disciplined, resilient and service-oriented young Nigerians capable of making positive contributions to their communities and the country.