NYSC members covered by comprehensive insurance scheme, says DG
NYSC members covered by comprehensive insurance scheme, says DG
Olakunle Nafiu, director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says corps members are covered by a comprehensive insurance package as part of their welfare during service year.
In a statement on Thursday, Caroline Embu, director of information and public relations, said the NYSC chief spoke in Abuja during a visit by Mallam Ndace, director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
Nafiu said the package includes life insurance and medical care, noting that the federal government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that every corps member enjoys a safe and memorable service experience.
According to him, the scheme also makes interventions in cases where particular ailments are not covered by health insurance.
Nafiu noted that as part of the welfare plans, the NYSC once paid N28 million to save the life of a pregnant corps member and her unborn child after she sustained spinal cord injuries in a road accident.
He said the scheme also spent N33 million to procure prosthetic arms for another corps member who was involved in a road accident while travelling to his place of primary assignment after leaving the orientation camp.
“Since 2004, every Corps Member has been covered by comprehensive insurance, including health and life insurance. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) caters for Corps Members whenever they fall ill,” he said.
“From the moment call-up letters are issued—before they even begin their journey from their parents’ homes—they are already covered by insurance.”
Nafiu cautioned against the spread of unverified reports about the scheme in some sections of the media and urged journalists to always confirm facts with NYSC before publication.
He said the NYSC’s posting policy is designed to address national needs, enabling all states of the federation to benefit from corps members’ contributions, particularly in healthcare and education.
According to him, corps members’ involvement in national assignments such as elections, sensitisation programmes, and population census exercises has been widely commended locally and internationally.
He commended the VON director-general for his leadership and efforts in transforming the media landscape through digital innovation.
He also appreciated the media for its continued support, describing VON as a critical instrument in Nigeria’s strategic communication framework.
“General Nafiu assured that Corps Members would not be deployed to unsafe areas and reiterated that the Scheme remains apolitical and non-religious in order to sustain its longstanding role in promoting national unity,” the statement reads.
Responding, Ndace congratulated Nafiu on his appointment and praised his leadership since assuming office.
He said VON is collaborating with international media organisations to produce and promote positive stories about Nigeria and pledged the agency’s readiness to project NYSC’s activities to a global audience.
Nafiu was appointed NYSC director-general in March 2025, succeeding Yushau Ahmed, who served as head of the scheme for two years.
Upon his appointment, Nafiu pledged to lead with transparency and prioritise corps member welfare, promising to enhance job creation initiatives, improve camp hygiene, and reposition the scheme for contemporary challenges.
In response to the growing number of graduates awaiting enlistment for the mandatory national service, President Bola Tinubu earlier this month approved an additional 50,000 slots for the 2026 NYSC mobilisation.
