……Ayodele Olawande says academic qualifications alone cannot address unemployment, urging corps members to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has inaugurated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Staff E-Training Portal as part of efforts to strengthen efficiency, professionalism and continuous learning within the scheme.
Olawande launched the portal during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop held in Abuja.
The minister commended the NYSC leadership for introducing innovations aimed at improving workplace efficiency and expanding staff access to knowledge.
He said the digital platform would help build a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce.
“We are committed towards making the Scheme get better. Let us work together and embrace technology,” Olawande said.
Olawande Urges Corps Members to Develop Practical Skills
The minister said academic qualifications alone could not address the growing challenges of unemployment.
He urged corps members to acquire practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Olawande also emphasised the importance of discipline, integrity and personal responsibility, encouraging corps members to make meaningful contributions to society.
He said the service year should provide graduates with opportunities to serve, lead and contribute to national development.
The minister further identified the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as a key component of the NYSC scheme.
NYSC DG Calls for Orientation Course Review
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said changing societal realities had made it necessary for the scheme to regularly review its Orientation Course.
The workshop’s theme was: “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World.”
Nafiu said the success of the Orientation Course depended on effective collaboration among stakeholders.
He also reaffirmed the management’s commitment to working with security agencies to assess risks, take preventive measures and protect corps members throughout their service year.
NYSC Seeks Modernised Orientation Programme
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Nura Umar, called for the modernisation of the Orientation Course’s content, methodology and delivery.
Umar said the orientation camp represented the first point of contact for corps members as they began their service year.
He stressed the importance of using the programme to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.
He also urged stakeholders to develop strategies for improving corps members’ welfare and safety, camp administration, discipline, leadership development and the SAED programme.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development said the newly launched portal is expected to strengthen continuous professional development for NYSC personnel.
