NYSC corps members contribute N14bn annually to Lagos economy, says DG

Olakunle Nafiu, the director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says the services provided by corps members in Lagos state are worth over N14 billion annually.

The NYSC DG was on a courtesy visit to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, at the government house in Marina, Lagos.

Nafiu quantified the contributions of the more than 44,000 corps members deployed across the state in various professional capacities.

These personnel, he said, include 333 medical doctors, 306 pharmacists, 274 nurses, and 7,188 teachers, among others, who fill critical service gaps within the state.

Nafiu noted that Lagos remains the number one destination for corps members, citing the relative security of the state as a key factor that provides comfort for their parents.

The DG’s visit was intended to acknowledge the Lagos state government’s support, solidify the cordial relationship between the scheme and the state, and reassure the governor of the NYSC’s continued commitment to deploying an adequate number of personnel.

Nafiu specifically commended the governor for undertaking renovation work at the temporary Iyana-Ipaja camp and for the ongoing construction of the 10,000-capacity permanent orientation camp.

He expressed hope for the swift completion of the permanent site, which would end the practice of having to dislodge some corps members to camps in neighbouring states.

As part of his requests, the DG urged the governor to sustain the scheme’s operational support and asked for the provision of an ambulance for the state secretariat.