The director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has assured that the corps will continue to support the Super Eagles and partner with the Nigeria National League (NNL) to elevate the country’s football.
He made this statement yesterday when the chairman of the NNL, Mr. George Aluo, led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit in his office at Yakubu Gowon House, the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja.
According to him, the NYSC, composed of young graduates observing a one-year compulsory service to their fatherland, can enhance the support base of the Super Eagles as they enter a crucial stage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Director General further stated that the NYSC football team aims to compete in the country’s professional league, assuring that the organisation is ready to collaborate with the NNL for the development of football in Nigeria.
“I want to thank the NNL board for their efforts in changing the narrative of football in the country. I have been following your league, and I commend the transformation the second-tier league has undergone in the past two years. We are ready to partner with the NNL to further advance the development of football in Nigeria.
“The NYSC, as an organisation that oversees the activities of fresh graduates completing their one-year compulsory service, will always bolster the support base of the various national teams, especially the Super Eagles as they strive to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”
He expressed optimism that the NYSC football team, currently participating in Nationwide League One, will soon advance into the country’s professional league, stating that the young graduates on the team are highly talented football players.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the NNL, Mr. George Aluo, informed the Director General that the visit was necessary as the NNL shares the same vision as the NYSC, with both bodies serving as unifiers for the country.
“This courtesy visit is essential because our two organisations are unifiers in Nigeria. While the NYSC fosters proper integration of youths from across the country, regardless of tribe, language, culture, or religion, football serves the same purpose, which is why it is important for our two bodies to collaborate,” he emphasised.
