President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the mobilisation of an additional 50,000 graduates into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 2026 as part of efforts to reduce the backlog of prospective corps members awaiting service.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed the development in Abuja during the commissioning of a remodelled clinic at the NYSC headquarters to mark his first year in office.
According to Nafiu, the approval was captured in the 2026 national budget and is aimed at addressing the persistent delays experienced by many graduates waiting to be mobilised for national service.
He explained that the expansion will enable the scheme to mobilise about 418,000 corps members in 2026, reflecting the increasing number of graduates produced by over 400 tertiary institutions across Nigeria each year.
The NYSC boss also noted that mobilisation delays are sometimes caused by institutions failing to upload approved Senate lists on time, as well as some graduates declining mobilisation after their postings.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare and safety of corps members nationwide while strengthening the mobilisation system through automation and better coordination with institutions.
