Who Is The Director General Of The NYSC

The current Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, who officially assumed duty in March 2025. His appointment marked a new phase in the leadership of the scheme that has, since 1973, served as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s unity drive. With a career spanning decades in the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Nafiu brings with him vast experience in strategic planning, peacekeeping, and leadership. His emergence as the 23rd Director General of the NYSC has drawn attention from corps members, alumni, and stakeholders curious about the direction of the scheme under his stewardship.

Background of Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu

Brigadier-General Nafiu’s educational and professional background reflects a blend of academic strength and military discipline.

Academic Achievements:
- Master of Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, 2022
- Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Bachelor’s degree in Geography (Hons), Nigerian Defence Academy

These qualifications show a man grounded in both local and global perspectives, making him well-suited to lead an institution like the NYSC, which thrives on fostering national unity within a globalized world.

Military Career and Appointments

Before he was appointed NYSC Director General, Brigadier-General Nafiu had served in multiple capacities in the Nigerian Army, building an impressive résumé:

Command Positions: Served as Adjutant, Battery Commander, and Regiment Commander, including leading combat operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast.
Aide-de-Camp (ADC) Roles: Worked closely with senior military officers and in government assignments.
International Peacekeeping: Participated in UN missions in Liberia, Sudan, and South Sudan as a Military Assistant and Observer.
Training & Education: Contributed as a directing staff at African and U.S. war colleges.
Special Assignments: Served as Camp Commandant in Kaduna in 2008.

This wide-ranging experience indicates not only a solid understanding of military discipline but also exposure to diverse environments, preparing him for the complexities of youth mobilization and national integration.

NYSC Leadership and Vision

The Director General of the NYSC is more than just an administrator; he is the face and driver of the scheme’s policies. Under Brigadier-General Nafiu, stakeholders expect renewed focus in the following areas:

Corps Welfare and Security – With Nigeria’s security landscape still challenging, ensuring the safety of corps members posted across the country is likely to remain a top priority.
Skill Acquisition and Empowerment – Previous DGs emphasized the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. Brig-Gen Nafiu, with his background in strategy, is expected to expand these initiatives, equipping corps members for life after service.
Strengthening National Unity – His peacekeeping experience abroad may inspire creative ways of reinforcing the NYSC’s founding mission of fostering unity among Nigerian youths.
Digital Transformation – As Nigeria modernizes, the NYSC is expected to adopt more technology-driven processes to make mobilization, verification, and documentation smoother.

Historical Perspective of NYSC Leadership

The NYSC was founded in 1973 by General Yakubu Gowon’s administration after the civil war. Its first Director General was Colonel Ahmadu Ali (1973–1975), who laid the foundation of the scheme. Since then, leadership has rotated among senior military officers and administrators, each leaving a unique mark. Brig-Gen Nafiu now joins this long line of leaders, becoming the 23rd Director General. His assumption of duty continues the tradition of appointing officers with strong command and administrative experience to oversee the scheme.

Challenges Facing Brig-Gen Nafiu as NYSC DG

Taking over the NYSC leadership in 2025 comes with unique challenges. These include:

Insecurity in some states has made postings controversial and sometimes unsafe.
High unemployment rates raise the importance of entrepreneurship training for corps members.
Funding limitations, as NYSC relies heavily on government allocations.
Public criticism of the scheme’s relevance, with some questioning whether NYSC has outlived its usefulness.

How Brig-Gen Nafiu addresses these issues will largely determine his legacy as DG.

What Corps Members Should Expect

For corps members currently in service or preparing to be mobilized, Brig-Gen Nafiu’s leadership offers both opportunities and expectations. Corps members may see:

More structured training programs under SAED.
Stronger emphasis on discipline and patriotism.
Possible reforms in the posting process to ensure security.
Renewed engagement between the NYSC and the private sector to create internship and employment pipelines.

Conclusion

So, who is the Director General of the NYSC? The answer is Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, an accomplished military officer with academic depth, global peacekeeping exposure, and a reputation for discipline. Since March 2025, he has taken over as the 23rd DG of the scheme, inheriting both its opportunities and challenges.

As the NYSC continues to serve as a bridge for national unity, youth development, and cultural exchange, Brig-Gen Nafiu’s leadership will play a vital role in shaping its future. For corps members, alumni, and Nigerians at large, his vision and policies will determine how relevant the scheme remains in addressing the realities of modern Nigeria.