NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Government House in Marina, Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NYSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, Nafiu said the estimate was based on the minimum monetary value of contributions from the 44,000 corps members currently serving in Lagos.
“These include 333 medical doctors, 306 pharmacists, 274 nurses, and over 7,000 teachers spread across schools and communities in the state,” Nafiu explained.
Lagos, Top Destination for Corps Members
The DG described Lagos as the most preferred destination for corps members nationwide, noting that many parents also feel more at ease with their children deployed to the state due to its relative security and opportunities.
He commended the Lagos State Government for ongoing renovation works at the temporary NYSC camp in Iyana-Ipaja and expressed optimism about the speedy completion of the new 10,000-capacity permanent orientation camp.
“When completed, the permanent camp will allow all corps members deployed to Lagos to train in one location, unlike the current situation where some are dislodged to nearby states,” Nafiu said.
Request for Support
The DG appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to provide an ambulance for the NYSC Lagos Secretariat and sustain the government’s support in other areas. He also congratulated the governor on the successful remodelling of the National Theatre, which he described as a “monument of global repute.”
Background
The NYSC was established in 1973 by then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to promote national integration and unity after the Nigerian Civil War. It has since become a compulsory one-year service for Nigerian graduates, comprising four core programmes: the three-week orientation course, deployment to a place of primary assignment, community development service, and the passing-out ceremony.
