Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
THE Federal Government has unveiled an interactive e-training platform designed to expand access to knowledge and enhance the effectiveness of personnel of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, launched the digital training portal in Abuja during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop.
The launch was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Information in the ministry, Caroline Embu.
Olawande, while commending the NYSC leadership, expressed satisfaction with the way technology was transforming the operations of the Scheme and improving institutional efficiency.
He said increased access to information had contributed to enhancing the professionalism of NYSC personnel.
According to the minister, the new platform would help build a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce.
“This platform would also help to build more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed towards making the Scheme get better, let us work together and embrace technology,” Olawande said.
The minister noted that academic qualifications alone were no longer sufficient to address the growing challenge of unemployment, stressing the need for Corps Members to acquire practical skills.
“Our Corps Members must learn practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, problem-solving.
“They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity, and responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact,” he stated.
Olawande said the service year should provide graduates with an opportunity to serve, lead and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He also disclosed that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme remained the most important content area in the NYSC Scheme.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said changes in society had made it imperative for the Scheme to regularly review its Orientation Course content to keep it relevant.
Nafiu said the theme of the workshop, “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” was designed to shape the character, mindset, skills and civic awareness of Corps Members.
He stressed that the success of the Orientation Course depended largely on effective collaboration among stakeholders.
“I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country,” he said.
The NYSC DG assured that management remained committed to working with security agencies to assess risks, take pre-emptive measures and ensure the safety of Corps Members throughout their service year.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, commended Olawande for his commitment to youth development.
Umar described the Orientation Camp as the first point of contact for every Corps Member at the beginning of the service year, stressing the importance of using the period to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.
He called for the modernisation of the content, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remained relevant to contemporary realities.
“We need to rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remains focused and aligned with contemporary realities,” Umar said.
He urged participants at the workshop to strengthen relationships among stakeholders by prioritising the welfare of Corps Members, camp discipline, leadership development and skills acquisition.
