It is a common saying in some cultures in Nigeria that “if a child washes his hands clean, he can definitely be invited to dine with elders.” In some cultures also; a well-trained, well-behaved and respectful child is often regarded as a child of the entire community and would the people’s ambassador any time, any where. These two cultural beliefs may have obviously played up as common denominators in the choice of Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a few months ago for the office of the Director-General, National Youths Service Corp (NYSC).
There cannot be a further confirmation of this assertion than two congratulatory messages from Nafiu’s home state of Osun applauding his appointment. One of the messages came from his Governor, Ademola Adeleke while the second message came from a highly respected and people friendly monarch, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi.
In their separate statements, the duo hailed Olakunle Nafiu, an indigene of Ile-Ogbo, Osun State. The Governor expressed pride in the appointment, describing Olakunle as a fine and disciplined professional. “I’m extremely delighted to learn of the appointment of Brigadier-General Nafiu Olakunle as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The appointment is an affirmation of the confidence in the capacity of Brigadier-General Olakunle, and I’m thankful to Mr. President for the opportunity given to one of Osun’s finest citizens,” the governor said.
Adeleke highlighted Olakunle’s distinguished military career, noting that his appointment to manage the NYSC is a recognition of his exemplary service. Similarly, Oba Akanbi while congratulating Brigadier-General Nafiu as the new Director-General of NYSC, stressed that the role places Olakunle in the position of a father to Nigerian youths.
“Brig. General Olukunle Nafiu, I am elated to receive the news of your appointment as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps. The appointment is a testament to your dedication to promoting the security architecture of Nigeria and sustaining her unity,” Oluwo said.
Interestingly, many other discerning Nigerians who knew much about Nafiu’s pedigree were loud enough to applaud his appointment which was announced in the first week of March, 2025 by the Presidency. In some quarters, the choice of Nafiu by President Tinubu may be seen as playing ethnic card, but beyond this, in a broader context, Nafiu’s qualification for the job is without argument as his credentials and service experience rightly attest to. A brief glance at his profile clearly reveals that he stands out as one of the finest military officers of his time who can be entrusted with the destiny of NYSC, an institution established since 1973 to promote national unity and development among Nigerian youths.
A peep into Olakunle Nafiu’s Military Career shows that he is a distinguished officer. His service trajectory is marked by dedication and excellence, particularly in the field of artillery. Notably, he served as the Chief of Staff to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, demonstrating his leadership capabilities and commitment to national service. He subsequently served as the Chief of Staff, to the current Chief of Army Staff General OO Oluyede prior to his present appointment.
He is an alumnus of the prestigious United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania State, from where he bagged a Master of Strategic Studies as a member of the Class of 2022 Resident Course. He equally holds a Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna. He has a strong competency in policy and strategy formulation and possesses strong interpersonal relations.
He has a solid background in organizational policy formulation and structure management and is an experienced administrator with sound critical and systems thinking skills, having served extensively as Deputy Director Establishment, Deputy Director Staff Duties and Assistant Director Procurement at the Army Headquarters.
In the course of his professional military career, he twice served as unit adjutant, twice commanded batteries, and commanded artillery regiments three times (twice in the North East theatre of operation). He served as Military Assistant to Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters twice times. He was Aide De Camp to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army from December 2003 to December 2005, and later Aide de Camp Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia from December 2005 to March 2008. He was a United Nations Military Observer in Sudan, where he actively participated in the monitoring of the South Sudan Independence Referendum in 2011, and later served as a Staff Officer in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, where he served in the Operations Cell of the Force Headquarters. Brig Gen Nafiu was NYSC Camp Commandant in Kaduna State in 2008.
He has had extensive experience in peacekeeping and working in multicultural and complex environments, having served in various capacities with the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sudan, and South Sudan.
He is a graduate of the Indian Army War College, Army War College Nigeria and the United States Army War College. He later served as a Directing Staff (instructor) in the Army War College Nigeria. Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu has held command of three different units, two of which were in combat against the BOKO HARAM Terrorist groups propagating extremist ideology in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.
His unwavering dedication and exemplary service remain a unique selling point for him as there is a strong belief that his leadership will usher in positive reforms within the NYSC, enhancing its role in fostering unity and empowering Nigerian youths. Expectedly he has set out to upscale the achievements he met on ground as the 23rd Director-General of NYSC.
Just a few weeks into his appointment, he met with the Chairman of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDEA) Brigadier-General (rtd) Mohammed Buba Marwa to collaborate in the area of counselling and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Nafiu acceded to a request by the NDLEA Chairman for the Scheme to deploy Corps members with relevant qualifications to the Agency’s Counselling and Rehabilitation Centres nationwide.
General Marwa had disclosed that such centres were already in existence in 30 States with plans to establish seven more, in a bid to ensure that the 36 States and the FCT had one each. The NDLEA boss made the request when the NYSC Director General paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. The two federal agencies are expected to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them to streamline their areas of cooperation.
Besides this effort, Nafiu on assumption office had promised to prioritize the welfare of corps members and staff, emphasized his commitment to transparent and effective leadership. He had made it clear that “The well-being of corps members will always be a top priority. We will work hard to ensure that their service is one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” he said. Coming at a time the monthly allowance of youth corp members had been increased, it became notable that his resumption came with good tidings.
Among others, he pledged to enhance key aspects of the scheme, including the job-matching programme aimed at helping corps members secure employment in the private sector. “It will also be aimed at incentivizing employers to retain a significant number of our corps members after their service year,” he added.
These are laudable plans and predicating same on his pedigree as a yardstick, the promises are as good as delivered in no distant time.
One can only wish the DG well in his concerted efforts to reposition the National Youths Service Corp for greater achievements in line with the statutory obligations of the Scheme particularly with respect to safety, welfare of corps members deployed to several parts of the country.