NYSC to blacklist employers denying corps members accommodation, stipends

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has directed the Kogi State NYSC office to stop posting corps members to private organisations that fail to provide accommodation or pay stipends.

Mr Nafiu gave the directive on Monday during a working visit to the NYSC Kogi State Secretariat in Lokoja, saying employers must provide conducive working environments that promote mentorship and skills development rather than exploit corps members.

He said places of primary assignment should offer meaningful learning opportunities and decent welfare for corps members, stressing that organisations unwilling to provide basic support should no longer receive them.

The NYSC boss also assured corps members that he would engage the Kogi State Government on the payment of state allowances to improve their welfare.

He further disclosed that the scheme would introduce additional welfare measures from 2027, including increased transportation support to orientation camps, improved feeding arrangements and better-quality NYSC kits.

Mr Nafiu urged corps members serving in the state to embrace entrepreneurship by taking advantage of available opportunities to acquire skills and build sustainable sources of income beyond the service year.

He also charged them to remain diligent, disciplined and committed to their national assignment.

The director-general commended NYSC staff in Kogi for their dedication and professionalism, assuring them that the management would continue to prioritise their welfare while urging them to sustain efficient service delivery.

Earlier, the Kogi State Coordinator of the NYSC, Chika Chris-Moneke, described the visit as a demonstration of purposeful leadership and the director-general’s commitment to the welfare of corps members and staff.

She disclosed that Kogi currently has 3,953 corps members serving across its 21 local government areas, supported by 106 members of staff.

Mrs Chris-Moneke commended the continued support of the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters and the Kogi State Government, saying their partnership had enhanced the successful implementation of the scheme’s programmes in the state.

She added that preparations were at an advanced stage for the forthcoming Corps Employers’ Workshop and the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, HIRD.