Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps to remain hopeful about Nigeria and see themselves as active participants in the country’s development rather than passive observers.
The governor’s message to corps members is consistent with his broader emphasis on youth participation, skills development and national service. In an earlier engagement with corps members in the state, Soludo described the NYSC scheme as an important platform for exposing young Nigerians to different cultures and strengthening national integration.
Soludo has also previously encouraged young people in the South-East to take a more active interest in national affairs, including careers in the military, police and other security agencies, arguing that participation in national institutions is essential to building confidence in the country.
The governor’s appeal comes at a time when many young Nigerians are navigating concerns over employment, economic opportunities, security and the transition from education into working life.
For corps members, the service year provides an opportunity to gain experience outside their immediate communities, interact with people from different backgrounds and contribute to projects at their places of primary assignment.
Soludo has previously spoken about the personal impact of his own NYSC experience, recalling that his service year in Oyo State between 1984 and 1985 exposed him to new cultures and traditions. He said those experiences helped him overcome cultural barriers and shaped his outlook.
The governor has therefore consistently presented national service as more than a compulsory post-graduation programme, stressing its potential to promote interaction, national unity and personal development.
His administration has also linked youth development to skills acquisition and innovation. In January 2026, Soludo said more than 36,000 youths had been empowered through various initiatives, including digital skills programmes, entrepreneurship and agribusiness schemes.
He said programmes such as the Solution Innovation District, Code Anambra and One Youth Two Skills Plus were designed to expand opportunities for young people to acquire skills, innovate and create wealth.
The emphasis on skills is particularly relevant to corps members approaching the end of their university education and beginning their transition into the labour market. Beyond their academic qualifications, many will need practical, digital, entrepreneurial and interpersonal competencies to compete for employment or establish their own ventures.
Soludo has also urged Nigerian academics to make research more useful to society by converting knowledge generated in universities into policies and solutions. In April 2026, he argued that Nigeria needed stronger connections between academic research and public policy to support national development.
The governor’s message to young Nigerians therefore extends beyond simply remaining optimistic. It reflects a call for greater participation in national development through education, skills acquisition, public service, innovation and responsible citizenship.
For corps members serving in Anambra and elsewhere, the service year can provide an opportunity to develop professional networks, understand communities outside their places of origin and acquire practical experiences that may complement their university education.
The NYSC programme also remains one of the country’s most prominent mechanisms for exposing graduates to communities across state and cultural boundaries. Soludo has described corps members as important contributors to Anambra’s development and pledged continued attention to their welfare, security and productivity.
The governor’s appeal consequently places responsibility not only on government to create opportunities but also on young Nigerians to participate actively in building the country they want.
For corps members, the message is that the challenges confronting Nigeria should not become a reason to withdraw from national life. Instead, their education, skills and service experience can be used as tools for contributing to communities and pursuing opportunities within the country.
Soludo’s position also reinforces the importance of making the NYSC experience meaningful beyond the mandatory service period, particularly by encouraging graduates to retain the values of discipline, service, cultural understanding and responsibility acquired during the programme.
