Don’t Let Peer Pressure Finish Your Allowance—DG to Corps Members

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has warned Corps Members across the country to avoid flashy lifestyles and reckless financial habits during their service year.

Addressing the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Corps Members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Okada, Edo State, the DG urged them to embrace modest living and smart budgeting, stressing that many young people fall into unnecessary financial pressure by trying to impress others.

“Learn to manage your money wisely. Distinguish your needs from your wants,” he said, adding that disciplined spending habits would help Corps Members stay focused on their goals and personal development throughout the service year.

Nafiu also cautioned the Corps Members to prioritise their safety at all times. He urged them to remain alert, follow camp security instructions and avoid risky movements. According to him, personal safety must come before every other activity.

Speaking on national values, the DG described Corps Members as symbols of peace and unity in every community they are deployed to. He encouraged them to embrace tolerance, respect cultural differences and promote understanding wherever they serve.

He further reminded them of the NYSC’s core values — loyalty, discipline, commitment and hard work — noting that these qualities would shape not only their service year but also their future careers. Nafiu advised them to build genuine friendships, saying such bonds often break cultural barriers and last a lifetime.

Edo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Ben-Ushie Frances, also commended the enthusiasm of the new batch, revealing that 1,634 Corps Members had completed their registration. She praised their active participation in camp activities, including the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which she described as a pathway to financial independence after service.

Frances applauded camp officials for their professionalism and teamwork, noting that their cooperation had created a supportive and disciplined environment for the Corps Members. She expressed confidence that the batch would excel and make meaningful contributions to their host communities.

She encouraged the Corps Members to stay disciplined, maintain teamwork, and approach every activity with an open mind, adding that the Orientation Course was designed to shape character, build resilience and prepare them for life after NYSC.