The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged Corps members to avoid impulse buying and practice financial discipline during their service year.
He gave this charge while addressing the 2026 Batch B Stream Two Corps members at the Abia and Imo State Orientation Camps.
General Nafiu advised them to moderate their expectations, cut unnecessary expenses and cultivate a savings culture.
He also urged them to acquire new skills through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to complement their certificates.
The DG encouraged the Corps members to pursue entrepreneurship so they can create jobs for others and become financially independent.
He advised them to build lasting friendships and business contacts among themselves during service.
General Nafiu warned against unauthorized journeys, saying Corps members should seek permission from NYSC before travelling and avoid night trips.
NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Mr Yunusa Tanimu, told the Director General that 1,731 Corps members, comprising 750 males and 981 females, were registered in the state.
He said the Corps members were disciplined and had adjusted well to the camp environment.
The Coordinator commended the Abia State Government for its support to NYSC in the state.
In a related development, General Nafiu commended the Abia State Government for its continued support to the scheme.
He specifically praised the renovation of the Orientation Camp, the provision of a new Secretariat complex and the upward review of Corps members’ allowance.
The DG stated this during a courtesy visit to the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, at Umunu, Umuehim, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
General Nafiu described Abia as a peaceful and friendly state, noting that female Corps members outnumber their male counterparts there.
He disclosed that Abia is one of the few states with Corps members serving in every local government area.
He appealed for the implementation of the recently reviewed Corps members’ allowance and for the second phase of the Camp renovation.
Responding, Governor Otti congratulated General Nafiu on his appointment as NYSC Director General.
He said his displeasure at the poor state of facilities on the Orientation Camp during a 2023 visit informed his decision to approve the renovation.
He added that the first phase of the renovation had been completed and directed that the second phase should begin.
Governor Otti expressed satisfaction with the 8,890 Corps members serving in the state and requested the deployment of more to Abia.
He said Abia is home to everyone, citing the Head of Service, Mr Benson Ojeikere, who came to the state as a Corps member and was later given automatic employment into the civil service for his outstanding service.
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