NIGERIA: NYSC Saves Lagos Over ₦14bn Annually — DG

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) contributes services valued at more than ₦14 billion annually to Lagos State, according to its Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.

Nafiu disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Government House, Marina, Lagos.

He explained that the estimate was the minimum monetary value of the contributions of over 44,000 corps members deployed across the state in various sectors.

He said: “These include 333 medical doctors, 306 pharmacists, 274 nurses, and 7,188 teachers, among others,”

The NYSC chief described Lagos as the number one destination for corps members, citing relative security and parental preference for deployment to the state.

He further noted that the visit was aimed at strengthening ties with the Lagos State Government and acknowledging its continuous support for the scheme.

Nafiu commended Sanwo-Olu for renovating facilities at the temporary orientation camp in Iyana-Ipaja while construction of the 10,000-capacity permanent camp at Agbowa, Ikorodu, continues.

He expressed optimism that the project, when completed, would allow all corps members to be camped in a single location, ending the current practice of dislodging some to neighbouring states.

He also appealed to the governor to provide an ambulance for the NYSC Secretariat and sustain other forms of support to enhance operations in the state.

While congratulating Sanwo-Olu on the remodelled National Theatre, Nafiu described the edifice as a “national monument of repute.”