Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has officially taken over as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), succeeding Brigadier General YD Ahmed.
The handover ceremony, held at the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, marked the beginning of Nafiu’s tenure, during which he pledged to utilize his military and peacekeeping expertise to further the scheme’s objectives. The NYSC announced his assumption of office in a statement shared on its X and Facebook pages on Thursday.
A seasoned artillery officer from the 47 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Nafiu previously served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. OO Oluyede, and his predecessor, the late Lt. Gen. TA Lagbaja. He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
In his inaugural address, Nafiu reaffirmed his dedication to strengthening national unity and youth development through the NYSC. “I am honored to lead this noble institution at a time when the role of our youth in national integration and development is more crucial than ever,” he stated. He emphasized his commitment to improving the welfare, security, and professional growth of corps members across the country.
With extensive experience in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sudan, and South Sudan, Nafiu expressed his readiness to enhance the scheme’s operational efficiency. He highlighted his background in multicultural environments and policy formulation as key assets that would shape his leadership approach.
His military career includes serving as a United Nations Military Observer in Sudan, where he contributed to monitoring the South Sudan Independence Referendum in 2011. He also held multiple command positions in artillery regiments, including in the North-East theater of operations.
The NYSC expects Nafiu to bring strategic vision and practical leadership to the organization, applying his expertise in critical and systems thinking to implement impactful policies. As he settles into his role, stakeholders and the NYSC community remain hopeful that his tenure will drive progress and transformation for the scheme.