Lagos, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has reiterated the enduring relevance of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as a cornerstone of national unity, youth empowerment, and sustainable development over the past 53 years.
Chairman of the Lagos NYSC Governing Board, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, made this known on Friday during the scheme’s 53rd anniversary celebration in Lagos, stressing that unity remains Nigeria’s strongest binding force.
Ogunlende, who also serves as Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, emphasised that the NYSC continues to play a pivotal role in fostering peaceful coexistence and integration among Nigerians of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
“There is only one thing that keeps us together as a country and that is unity. We must continuously identify with this scheme to foster unity, which is key to national development,” he said.
He urged corps members to uphold the ideals of the scheme by supporting development initiatives, obeying laws, and making meaningful contributions at their places of primary assignment. He also assured them of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to their welfare and safety throughout the service year.
Earlier, the Lagos NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, reaffirmed the scheme’s impact on national integration, youth empowerment, and grassroots development. She noted that administrative innovations such as the introduction of batches and streams have enhanced the effective management of the growing number of graduates enlisted annually.
Salmwang highlighted the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as one of the scheme’s most transformative initiatives, noting that it equips corps members with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to tackle graduate unemployment.
“SAED has made the service year more rewarding and helped address graduate unemployment through entrepreneurial and vocational training,” she said.
She commended the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, traditional institutions, security agencies, and employers of labour for their continued support for the scheme.
Reflecting on the milestone, Salmwang called on corps members to uphold the NYSC’s core values of unity, integrity, diligence, self-reliance, and service to humanity. She added that the scheme has strengthened national cohesion through inter-tribal marriages and cultural exchange among participants.
The coordinator also lauded corps members for their contributions to key sectors including education, healthcare, environmental sanitation, digital literacy, and community development.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, charged corps members to recognise their vital role in shaping Nigeria’s future by adding value to their host communities and maximising learning opportunities.
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Activities marking the anniversary included sanitation exercises across local government areas, as well as outreach visits to orphanages and elderly care homes.
Established in 1973, the NYSC remains a flagship national programme designed to promote unity through compulsory one-year service by Nigerian graduates outside their states of origin.
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