The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has said the scheme has remained a central pillar of national unity since its establishment following the Nigerian Civil War.
Nafiu made the remarks during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, as the scheme prepares to mark its 53rd anniversary on May 22.
He explained that the NYSC was created as part of Nigeria’s post-war reconstruction efforts, designed to promote reconciliation, reintegration, and national cohesion after the conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970.
According to him, the initiative was deliberately structured to deploy graduates outside their home states, encouraging cultural exchange and deeper understanding among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
“The NYSC came about after the cessation of hostilities of the civil war of 1967 to 1970 as a strategy to foster reintegration and national unity,” Nafiu said.
He added that exposing young graduates to different parts of the country has helped strengthen the sense of shared identity among Nigerians.
“You have to teach people about a country by letting them see it, mingle with different cultures and learn from diverse perspectives,” he stated.
Nafiu noted that many Nigerians’ first meaningful exposure to cultures outside their immediate environment came during their service year, with the programme also fostering lifelong relationships across ethnic lines.
He highlighted that inter-ethnic marriages formed during service have contributed to stronger national cohesion over the decades.
“Most people you see at the national level today will tell you their first real exposure to other cultures came during their service year,” he said.
The NYSC boss acknowledged that while challenges to national unity still exist, the scheme remains a vital instrument in bridging divides and promoting understanding.
He also pointed out the growth of the programme since its inception in 1973, when just 2,364 corps members were mobilised, compared to over 400,000 graduates annually in recent years.
“The only constant in life is change, and NYSC has continued to innovate to remain relevant to younger generations,” he added.
Nafiu reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to adapting to modern realities, including technological advancements and changing youth demographics, while sustaining its core mission of unity and nation-building.
