DUTSE, Nigeria (AP) — The National Youth Service Corps has assured 2,000 Batch ‘B’ Stream I members posted to Jigawa State of safety and a peaceful service year, even as insecurity has forced the suspension of swearing‑in ceremonies in other parts of Nigeria.
The corps members were sworn in Monday at the Yakubu Gowon Orientation Camp in Fanisau under tight security. NYSC officials said similar ceremonies had recently been halted in Niger State due to security threats, underscoring the challenges facing the national program that deploys graduates across the country for one year of service.
Jigawa State Coordinator Muhammad Baba told reporters that extensive measures were taken before the corps members arrived, during their three‑week orientation, and after their posting to ministries and local governments. He said the NYSC worked closely with security agencies “from the border points, through transportation, to camp security and LGAs” to ensure peace. Baba described Jigawa as one of the safest states for national service.
The coordinator cautioned corps members against behaviors that could endanger them, including late‑night movements, reckless use of social media, and unauthorized travel outside camp. He also warned against cultism, drug abuse, and involvement in partisan politics, stressing that the NYSC maintains zero tolerance for such vices.
Registration for the batch is still ongoing, with 1,149 corps members already documented. Baba said the number is expected to rise as more participants complete their registration before the end of the orientation period. Afterward, they will be posted to their primary places of assignment across Jigawa State.
The NYSC program, established in 1973, is seen as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nation building efforts, fostering unity by deploying young graduates to serve outside their home regions. Its operations have increasingly been shaped by security concerns, making assurances like those in Jigawa critical to sustaining confidence in the scheme.
