President Tinubu Approves Additional 50,000 NYSC Mobilisation Slots for 2026
President Bola Tinubu has approved an additional 50,000 mobilisation slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme to address the growing number of graduates awaiting enlistment for the mandatory national service.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of a remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters, an event marking his first year in office.
According to Nafiu, the approval is part of the federal government’s efforts to reduce delays in mobilisation and create more opportunities for graduates waiting to participate in the scheme.
He noted that the extra slots have already been captured in the NYSC’s 2026 budget. He also revealed that additional provisions have been included in the federal government’s 2027 budget cycle to improve corps members’ welfare, including better kits, feeding arrangements, and transportation allowances.
“The government listens and acts when people raise issues that concern them,” Nafiu said.
“In response to the agitation over long waits for mobilisation, Mr President approved an additional 50,000 corps members for mobilisation in the 2026 budget.”
Nafiu explained that the NYSC has expanded significantly since it was established in 1973. With the new approval, the scheme is expected to mobilise about 418,000 corps members in 2026.
He added that the increase reflects the growth in the number of tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
“We started with fewer than 10 to 12 corps-producing institutions in 1972 and mobilised just 2,364 corps members,” he said.
“Today, we have over 400 corps-producing institutions, with roughly 600,000 graduates produced every year.”
The NYSC DG clarified that not all graduates are eligible for mobilisation annually. Some receive exemptions, while professionals such as medical doctors and lawyers must complete additional training before they can be mobilised.
He also stated that the scheme now operates an automated system that manages mobilisation and deployment.
“When a prospective corps member does not report to camp, the automated system will not remobilise the individual until the existing pool is exhausted,” he said.
Nafiu attributed some mobilisation delays to institutions that fail to upload senate-approved lists to the NYSC portal on time. He also noted that some graduates decline mobilisation after being posted to certain states.
On security concerns, he said the scheme avoids deploying corps members to high-risk areas.
“As much as possible, we do not deploy corps members to red zones. Even when they are posted to such states, they are restricted to state capitals and major cities,” he said.
He emphasised that the management remains committed to the safety and welfare of corps members across the country.
“We are parents ourselves, and we cannot toy with other people’s children. We owe parents the responsibility of securing the lives of their children,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended Nafiu for what he described as impactful leadership within his first year in office.
He said the newly remodelled clinic demonstrates the NYSC leadership’s commitment to the welfare of both staff and corps members.
“You can see today that one of those priorities has been the welfare of the staff and those working in this headquarters,” Olawande said.
“It has been paramount for him to ensure that the clinic is truly functional.”
The minister also addressed recent security concerns involving corps members and advised them to avoid travelling at night.
“We may not yet be where we want to be as a country or as an agency, but we are working towards it and doing everything possible to secure our corps members,” he said.
Olawande added that the federal government is exploring additional measures, including insurance coverage, to strengthen the protection of corps members.
“I have said it before and will keep saying it: please do not travel at night. Travel during the day when visibility is better so we can minimise these incidents,” he said.