Northern Pulse: 2,529 2026 batch 'A' corps members begin orientation course in Kaduna

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

A total of 2,529 2026 batch 'A' (stream I) members of the the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday officially commenced 21-day orientation course in Kaduna camp.

The corps members deployed to Kaduna comprised 757 males and 1,772 females, reflecting a significant female majority in the 2026 Batch ‘A’ intake, according to official figures released by the Kaduna State NYSC Secretariat.

Declaring the orientation course open at the swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government College, Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani congratulated them on their call to national service and reaffirmed the relevance of the NYSC scheme in promoting national unity, integration and youth leadership.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Esther Ibrahim, the governor urged the corps members to approach their service year with intentionality, stressing the importance of setting clear personal and professional goals.

“Do not let this period simply happen to you, decide what you want to achieve whether acquiring new skills, making impact at your place of primary assignment, or building lifelong networks across Nigeria," he told corps members.

Governor Sani identified education, healthcare, agriculture, community development and youth empowerment as priority sectors where corps members are expected to contribute meaningfully to Kaduna State’s development agenda.

He also assured the corps members of the state government’s commitment to their security, noting that Kaduna would continue to work closely with the NYSC and security agencies to ensure a safe and supportive service environment.

The governor placed strong emphasis on the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, urging corps members to see it as a strategic investment in their future rather than a routine camp activity.

“SAED should be viewed as a key target for your personal development and a pathway to self-reliance after service,” he said.

Earlier, the Kaduna State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Efeke Murna Dadaza, confirmed that the 2,529 corps members include those posted directly to Kaduna as well as those dislodged from the Federal Capital Territory.

Mrs. Dadaza acknowledged recent infrastructural support from the Kaduna State Government, particularly the renovation of multi-purpose halls at the temporary orientation camp, which she said would significantly improve learning and operational efficiency.

However, she drew attention to several outstanding welfare and infrastructure needs including the payment of monthly state stipends to corps members, the provision of a permanent orientation camp, the supply of double-bunk beds and mattresses, among others.

The orientation course is scheduled to run for three weeks, after which corps members will be posted to their various places of primary assignment across Kaduna State.