The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have agreed to deepen collaboration in order to improve corps mobilisation and advance youth development initiatives across the country.
The NYSC director-general, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, gave the assurance on Friday while receiving members of the National Executive Council of NANS during a courtesy visit to the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, Nafiu said the students’ body had remained a dependable partner of the scheme since its establishment and pledged continued cooperation.
He said the NYSC’s core mandate of promoting national unity and integration could not be achieved without the support of Nigerian students, noting that every undergraduate is a prospective corps member.
The DG said the scheme would continue to strengthen its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to complement the federal government’s efforts to reduce unemployment and encourage self-reliance among young people.
He also urged NANS to remain actively involved in promoting democracy by making meaningful contributions to national development and public policy.
Nafiu noted that the association would be engaged in the pre-mobilisation process and other activities leading to orientation camps, describing NANS as “a critical stakeholder” because of its close relationship with students in tertiary institutions.
He said the ongoing digital reforms within the NYSC would improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
Earlier, NANS Senate President, Comrade Moses Ikeabuchi, said the visit was aimed at strengthening relations with the new NYSC leadership, and exploring areas of collaboration, particularly in corps mobilisation.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the scheme and promoting the interests of students and prospective corps members.