The Federal Government has launched an e-training portal for staff of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as part of efforts to improve efficiency, professionalism and access to knowledge within the scheme.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, stated this on Monday while inaugurating the NYSC Staff E-Training Portal during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop held in Abuja.
Olawande commended the leadership of the NYSC for introducing innovations aimed at improving efficiency and productivity, expressing satisfaction with the technology-driven transformation of the scheme in recent times.
He said the portal would promote continuous learning among NYSC staff and help build a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce.
“This platform would also help to build more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed towards making the Scheme get better, let us work together and embrace technology,” he said.
The minister said the changing nature of the global economy had made it necessary for young people to acquire practical skills beyond academic qualifications, noting that educational certificates alone could not solve the challenge of unemployment.
He said Corps Members must be exposed to practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving, while also developing discipline, integrity and personal responsibility.
“Our Corps Members must learn practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, problem-solving.
“They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity, and personal responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact,” Olawande said.
He reiterated that the mandatory service year should provide graduates with opportunities to serve, lead and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The minister also identified the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as the most important content of the NYSC at present, stressing the need to equip Corps Members with skills that could enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said changing societal realities had made it imperative for the scheme to continually review the contents of its Orientation Course to ensure greater relevance.
Nafiu said the theme of the workshop, “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” was designed to shape the character, mindset, skills and civic awareness of Corps Members.
According to him, the success of the Orientation Course depended largely on effective collaboration among stakeholders.
“I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country,” he said.
The NYSC DG assured that the management remained committed to working with security agencies to assess risks, take pre-emptive measures and ensure the safety of Corps Members throughout their service year.
Earlier, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, commended the minister for his passion for youth development.
Umar described the Orientation Camp as the first major point of contact for Corps Members as they commence their service year, stressing the need to use the period to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.
He said there was a need to rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remained focused and aligned with contemporary realities.
He urged participants to use the workshop to develop strategies for deepening stakeholder relationships, particularly in the areas of Corps Members’ welfare and safety, camp administration, discipline and leadership development, as well as strengthening the SAED programme.