NYSC Urges Employers to Improve Corps Members’ Welfare for Optimal Performance
By MOHAMMED DANBABA
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on employers across Kogi State to provide a more conducive work environment for corps members, emphasizing that better welfare and engagement are critical to the scheme’s success.
During a workshop held on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Femi Osungbohun, made a passionate appeal to corps members employers to prioritize corps members’ welfare, including better accommodation, monthly stipends, and transportation support.
Strengthening Employer-Corps Member Relationship
The workshop, themed “Deepening the NYSC/Corps Employers Working Relationship for Optimal Performance,” brought together stakeholders from both public and private sectors to explore ways to enhance collaboration between corps members and their host institutions.
Mr. Osungbohun explained that the goal of the event was to bridge communication gaps, foster mutual understanding, and promote an enabling environment that boosts productivity among serving youth corps members.
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“We are honoured by your presence at this crucial workshop which brings us together to rub minds with core employers and forge the path toward improving corps members’ comfort and productivity,” Osungbohun stated.
He also urged stakeholders to stay committed to the NYSC’s mandate and support the program by ensuring that corps members are treated with dignity and provided the basic facilities they need to thrive during their service year.
Enhanced Welfare for Corps Members
In his remarks, the state NYSC boss appealed directly to employers to go beyond the statutory obligations and improve welfare packages. He listed accommodation, transportation, and enhanced monthly allowances as key areas where employers can make a significant impact.
“We implore NYSC stakeholders and partners not to relent in their commitment to the success of this noble scheme in Kogi. A collective mission to boost corps members’ welfare across institutions is needed now more than ever,” he added.
Government Backs Youth Development Agenda
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, also expressed his administration’s commitment to ensuring corps members have a memorable service year. Represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Monday Anyebe, Governor Ododo described youth development as central to his policy agenda.
“Improving the welfare of corps members remains a top priority for our government. We believe that investing in the youth is investing in the future of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole,” he stated.
Stakeholders Call for Institutional Support and Mentorship
The workshop also featured a keynote address by Pastor Oladele Jacob, a retired NYSC Deputy Director, who spoke on the critical role employers play in realizing the scheme’s goals.
Delivering a paper titled “The Corps Employer as a Critical Stakeholder in Achieving the NYSC Mandate in Our Contemporary World,” Jacob recommended that the NYSC expand the scope of its annual employer workshops to reach more institutions. He also advocated for the resuscitation of the annual Best Employer Award, a recognition that once motivated employers to take corps welfare more seriously.
“Employers must embrace policy changes and be ready to mentor these young Nigerians. Their one year of service can shape their professional and personal growth if guided properly,” Jacob noted.
A Call to Action
The consensus among attendees was clear: if Nigeria is to maximize the potential of its youth, the welfare of corps members must be prioritized. Stakeholders agreed that a well-supported corps member is more likely to be productive, committed, and innovative—qualities that the NYSC scheme was created to nurture.
As the NYSC continues to evolve to meet national development goals, the role of employers as partners in progress has never been more significant. By creating a supportive environment for corps members, employers not only fulfill a civic duty but also contribute to nation-building through youth empowerment.
