The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed deep concern over the growing trend of corps members being rejected by organizations to which they are officially posted, describing the situation as a threat to the core objectives of the national service scheme.

This concern was voiced during the 2025 Annual Corps Employers’ Workshop, held in Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday. The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Corps Discipline and Reward, Gbamisola Salami, lamented that such rejections are depriving young graduates of valuable opportunities to gain practical experience and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Your organizations provide platforms for corps members to apply their academic knowledge, acquire professional skills, and develop into productive citizens. Rejections hinder this noble objective,” Nafiu said.

The Director-General emphasized that the rejection of corps members not only violates the spirit of the NYSC Act but also creates unnecessary emotional and financial hardship for the affected individuals. He explained that corps members often find themselves stranded in unfamiliar environments with limited support when rejected by their assigned employers.

In addition to rejections, Nafiu highlighted several other challenges that are undermining the effectiveness of the program. These include the late or complete absence of applications from organizations requesting corps members, substandard welfare arrangements, and, in some cases, outright inhumane treatment meted out to corps members in their workplaces.

“We have received reports of corps members being used as casual labor, subjected to tasks unrelated to their fields, or denied basic welfare support such as accommodation, stipends, or even respectful treatment,” he stated. He called on employers to recognize their roles not just as supervisors but as mentors and partners in nation-building.

In his address, the Plateau State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Jonathan Yavala, reiterated that the Corps Employers’ Workshop was organized to foster mutual understanding between the NYSC and partnering organizations, bridge communication gaps, and improve the quality of the service year experience for corps members.

“This gathering is not only an opportunity to evaluate our collaboration but also a forum to remind employers that they are integral to the success of the NYSC scheme. You help shape the next generation of leaders by the quality of mentorship and exposure you offer,” Yavala noted.

Declaring the event open, the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Musa Ashoms, commended the NYSC for its consistency and resilience despite various operational challenges. He urged employers to see corps members as assets rather than burdens, stressing the need to create an enabling environment where these young Nigerians can grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their host communities.

“The NYSC is not just a rite of passage; it is a national investment in youth development, unity, and peace. We must all play our parts to ensure its continued relevance,” Ashoms said.

Participants at the workshop included representatives from government ministries, private sector organizations, educational institutions, and non-governmental bodies who serve as Corps Employers. The workshop concluded with breakout sessions on best practices in corps member management, ethics, and the legal responsibilities of hosting organizations.

As the NYSC marks over five decades of service, the call for a renewed commitment to the welfare and productivity of corps members has never been more urgent. With increasing youth unemployment and a growing need for hands-on experience in the labor market, the NYSC says it remains committed to ensuring that every corps member’s service year is both impactful and dignified.