Perm Sec. Advocates for Increased Funding, Strategic Partnerships to Strengthen NYSC, CLTC
By Hajara Abdullahi
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, has called for increased funding, upgraded infrastructure, and stronger strategic partnerships to enhance the operations of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC).
This was disclosed in a statement on X by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Omolara Esan, on Thursday.
According to Esan, Dr. Keshinro made the appeal during separate courtesy visits to the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, and the Director-General of CLTC, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, at their respective headquarters.
The Permanent Secretary described NYSC as a cornerstone of national unity and youth development. Reflecting on her service years, she noted that the scheme continues to shape generations of young Nigerians through discipline, exposure, and cultural integration.
“The NYSC remains one of the most effective platforms for fostering national cohesion and exposing our youths to the richness of Nigeria’s diversity,” she said.
She commended the leadership and staff of NYSC for their dedication and resilience while acknowledging challenges such as increasing corps enrolment, inadequate staffing, and pressure on orientation camp facilities and accommodation. She called for stronger involvement of state and local governments in supporting corps members’ welfare.
On CLTC, Dr. Keshinro highlighted the Centre’s strategic role in nation-building, ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and skills development among young Nigerians.
“The CLTC is a vital platform for grooming disciplined, value-driven, and skilled youths capable of contributing meaningfully to national development,” she added.
In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, described the scheme as one of Nigeria’s most enduring nation-building institutions, established in 1973 to promote national unity, integration, and patriotic service. He noted that from an inaugural batch of 2,634 corps members, the NYSC now mobilizes up to 400,000 corps members annually, reaching virtually every Nigerian family and reaffirming its relevance over five decades after its establishment.
He acknowledged challenges such as manpower shortages, security concerns, and funding constraints, adding that innovative initiatives are being explored to complement available resources. He expressed confidence that with enhanced funding and sustained collaboration, NYSC will continue to remain a cornerstone of youth development, national cohesion, and selfless service.
Similarly, the Director-General of CLTC, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, expressed optimism about sustained collaboration with the Ministry, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to effective partnership and alignment on ongoing and future programmes aimed at strengthening leadership development and regional administration.
