Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has commended decades of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for what he described as their unwavering contribution to Nigeria’s development across key sectors since the scheme’s creation in 1973.

Gowon gave the commendation when the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, paid him a visit at his Abuja residence. The retired General, who established the scheme 52 years ago, said the NYSC had continued to justify the hopes of its founders by mobilising young Nigerians to support national unity and grassroots development.

He said successive batches of corps members had played significant roles in community development, education, healthcare delivery, emergency response, electoral processes and national programmes, especially in rural areas where manpower gaps remain severe.

According to him, the contributions of NYSC members in remote communities, schools and health centres have helped strengthen national cohesion and social integration. He noted that many areas that lacked basic services have benefited from the yearly deployment of young professionals through the scheme.

Gowon also expressed satisfaction with the progress the NYSC has recorded over the decades, describing the achievements as a testament to the dedication of its management and staff since inception. He said the commitment of the scheme’s administrators had ensured that the founding principles remained intact despite changes in Nigeria’s political, economic and social landscape.

“Let me commend all the staff of the scheme from inception to date. I say well done and thank you for ensuring that it records success,” he said.

Reflecting on the reasons for establishing the NYSC shortly after the civil war, Gowon explained that the initiative was born out of a collective national desire to rebuild trust and strengthen unity among citizens.

He said various sections of the country understood the need to use Nigeria’s human resources to address social and developmental challenges, leading to the creation of a scheme that would bring young graduates together for national service.

Gowon noted that the deployment of corps members to different parts of the country had contributed to inter-ethnic marriages, cross-cultural understanding and long-term relationships that continued to strengthen national unity. He said this social integration aspect remained one of the scheme’s enduring successes.

However, he emphasised the need to make the NYSC more responsive to emerging realities. He called for stronger stakeholder support to enhance the scheme’s entrepreneurial and self-employment programmes, which form part of the objectives outlined in the NYSC Act.

According to him, empowering young graduates with practical business skills would improve their contributions to national development and reduce youth unemployment.

Earlier, Brigadier General Nafiu thanked the former Head of State for his continuous guidance and support. He said the NYSC remained committed to sustaining its achievements and exploring new opportunities to make the scheme more impactful in the post-golden jubilee era.