NYSC DG urges corps members
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has urged corps members across the country to respect local customs and traditions of their host communities, describing cultural sensitivity as essential to the success of the national service scheme and Nigeria’s unity project.
Speaking to newly mobilised corps members during visits to orientation camps, the NYSC boss said young Nigerians participating in the programme must understand that their conduct during the service year reflects not only on themselves but on the institution they represent and the nation as a whole. According to him, respecting host communities is central to peaceful coexistence and effective service delivery.
The message from the NYSC leadership was clear: national service goes beyond wearing khaki uniforms and reporting to places of primary assignment. It involves learning, adapting, and showing respect for the values, customs, and social norms of communities where corps members are posted.
The NYSC DG urges corps members to see themselves as ambassadors of national unity, especially when posted outside their states of origin. He reminded them that the NYSC was established to foster integration, mutual understanding, and unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
“Respect local customs wherever you are posted,” the director-general told the corps members. “Your service year is an opportunity to learn about other cultures, build relationships, and contribute positively to the development of your host communities.”
The NYSC DG urges corps members to avoid actions that could create tension or misunderstandings with local populations. He stressed that simple gestures such as observing local dress codes, greetings, and community practices can go a long way in earning trust and cooperation.
For many corps members, the service year marks their first extended stay outside familiar environments. Differences in language, food, religion, and social norms can present challenges, but the NYSC leadership believes these differences are also opportunities for growth. By embracing cultural diversity, corps members can build bridges that strengthen national cohesion.
Beyond cultural respect, the NYSC DG urges corps members to demonstrate discipline, punctuality, and dedication in their places of primary assignment. He warned that indiscipline and disregard for rules would not be tolerated, noting that the NYSC Act provides clear sanctions for misconduct.
He also encouraged corps members to take their assignments seriously, describing the service year as a foundation for future leadership and professional development. According to him, employers and communities often judge young graduates by their attitude during national service.
Orientation camps, he explained, are designed to prepare corps members mentally, physically, and socially for the year ahead. Activities such as drills, lectures, and cultural exchanges are meant to instill discipline, teamwork, and appreciation for Nigeria’s diversity.
The NYSC DG urges corps members to use their service year to develop skills beyond academics, including communication, problem-solving, and community engagement. These skills, he said, are critical in a country as complex and diverse as Nigeria.
Addressing concerns about safety and adaptation, the director-general assured corps members that the NYSC continues to work with security agencies and state governments to ensure their welfare. However, he added that personal conduct plays a major role in staying safe.
“Respect for local customs reduces conflict,” he said. “When communities see you as one of them, they protect you.”
The advice comes against the backdrop of past incidents where misunderstanding of local traditions led to friction between corps members and host communities. NYSC officials believe that reinforcing cultural awareness at the orientation stage can prevent such issues.
The NYSC DG urges corps members to be financially prudent and avoid lifestyles that could put them at risk or distract them from their duties. He reminded them that the allowance paid by the government is meant to support basic needs and should be managed responsibly.
Community leaders have often praised corps members who integrate well, participate in local activities, and contribute to development initiatives. Such engagement, according to the NYSC leadership, enhances the relevance of the scheme and strengthens the bond between young Nigerians and their host communities.
The NYSC DG urges corps members to remember that national service is temporary, but the impressions they leave behind are lasting. A positive experience can change perceptions, build lifelong friendships, and create opportunities long after the service year ends.
As the new batch of corps members begins their journey, the NYSC leadership believes that respect for local customs remains one of the most powerful tools for achieving the scheme’s founding vision of unity in diversity.
In the words of the director-general, national integration is not achieved through policy alone but through daily actions. When corps members respect local customs, work diligently, and engage communities with humility, they become living symbols of the Nigeria the NYSC was created to build.
