Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has charged corps members deployed to the state to acquire entrepreneurial skills and develop innovative solutions to address community challenges.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Friday at the formal opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream Two orientation course in Lagos.
The governor who was represented by Mrs Toyin Oke-Oseyintolu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, said national service should go beyond fulfilling a statutory obligation to developing practical skills and contributing meaningfully to national development.
He said the state government recognised young people as drivers of innovation, economic growth and sustainable development, adding that it remained committed to creating an enabling environment for them to realise their potential.
According to him, in the evolving economic environment, academic qualifications, though important, must be complemented by practical skills, creativity and innovation.
“I encourage you to approach this programme with enthusiasm and an open mind.
“Identify skills that align with your interests and aspirations, engage with the trainers and take full advantage of the knowledge and practical experience available to you,” he urged.
Sanwo-Olu added that the ability to identify opportunities and develop innovative solutions to everyday challenges was increasingly essential.
The governor further emphasised the importance of discipline, national integration and peaceful coexistence, urging the corps members to respect cultural and religious differences and build relationships beyond ethnic boundaries.
He said the three-week orientation course was designed to equip them with discipline, leadership, teamwork and resilience, while urging them to comply with camp regulations and remain security-conscious throughout their service year.
On corps members’ welfare, Sanwo-Olu assured them of the state government’s continued collaboration with NYSC management and security agencies to safeguard their lives and support the effective implementation of the scheme.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, NYSC Lagos, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, said a total of 11,224 prospective corps members were deployed to Lagos State, while 4,341 were accommodated at the temporary orientation camp, Iyana-Ipaja.
Salmwang disclosed that due to accommodation constraints at the camp, some Lagos-deployed corps members have been dislodged to other neighbouring states for three weeks orientation course.
She urged the corps members to uphold patriotism, discipline, integrity and selflessness, stressing that the scheme remained vital to promoting national unity, integration and peaceful coexistence.
The coordinator encouraged participants to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, describing it as an opportunity to acquire practical skills, promote self-reliance and prepare for life after service.
She commended the governor for supporting the scheme and ongoing construction of its permanent orientation camp at Agbowa, Ikorodu.
“The laudable project represents a significant investment in the future of the scheme and will provide a more suitable and conducive environment for the orientation of prospective corps members,” she expressed.
The oath of allegiance was administered by Justice Lawal Alebiosu at the swearing-in ceremony of the batch.
