Tinubu Approves 50,000 Additional Slots for NYSC Mobilisation in 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised the mobilisation of an additional 50,000 graduates for the 2026 service year under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in a move aimed at reducing the backlog of prospective corps members awaiting deployment.
The announcement was made on Friday in Abuja by the Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, during the commissioning of a newly renovated clinic at the scheme’s headquarters as part of activities marking his one year in office.
According to Nafiu, the approval was included in the 2026 national budget following growing concerns about the prolonged wait experienced by many graduates before they are mobilised for national service.
He noted that the expansion would significantly increase the number of corps members mobilised in the coming year. With the additional slots, the NYSC expects to deploy about 418,000 graduates in 2026.
The NYSC boss explained that the scheme has witnessed massive growth since it was established in 1973. While fewer than a dozen institutions produced corps members at the time—leading to the mobilisation of just over 2,300 participants—there are now more than 400 corps-producing institutions nationwide, graduating roughly 600,000 students annually.
Despite the high number of graduates, Nafiu clarified that not all are mobilised every year. Some are granted exemptions, while professionals such as medical doctors and lawyers must complete additional training before they become eligible for the programme.
He also explained that the NYSC now operates an automated mobilisation system, which only selects prospective corps members once the existing pool has been exhausted.
Nafiu attributed part of the mobilisation delays to institutions that fail to upload Senate-approved graduation lists to the NYSC portal on time. In other cases, some graduates decline to participate in a particular batch after being posted to certain states.
Addressing safety concerns, the NYSC Director-General said the scheme avoids deploying corps members to areas considered high-risk. When postings are made to such states, corps members are usually restricted to major cities or state capitals.
He reassured parents that the scheme prioritises the safety of participants, noting that the welfare and security of corps members remain a major responsibility of the management.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended Nafiu’s leadership, describing his first year in office as impactful.
Olawande said the newly remodelled clinic reflects the NYSC management’s commitment to improving the welfare of both staff and corps members working at the headquarters.
The minister also addressed recent security incidents involving corps members and advised them to avoid travelling at night. According to him, the Federal Government is working on additional measures, including insurance coverage, to further strengthen their protection.
