- Lagos Begins Reconstruction of Abandoned NYSC Secretariat in Yaba
- Ends Four Decades of Uncertainty
- Toyin Oke-Osanyitolu expressed confidence that the completed secretariat would rank among the best in Nigeria
The Lagos State Government has commenced the reconstruction of the abandoned National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent secretariat in Yaba, bringing an end to more than four decades of uncertainty surrounding the project.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the reconstruction officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday at the project site.
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Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the project as a significant milestone in preserving the legacy of the NYSC in Lagos State.
He said reviving the abandoned secretariat marked a defining moment in restoring the scheme’s permanent operational base in the state.
“This restoration is historic. Preserving this monument will remind future generations that our administration recovered the NYSC secretariat and secured an enduring legacy for Lagos youths,” Ogunlende said.
The commissioner also appealed to the NYSC to preserve the historic statue located within the premises, describing it as a symbol of continuity, institutional memory and the state’s commitment to protecting its heritage.
In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Toyin Oke-Osanyitolu, expressed confidence that the completed secretariat would rank among the best in Nigeria.
She said the project would strengthen youth service administration in Lagos while improving service delivery and supporting sustainable institutional development.
Also speaking, the NYSC Southwest Area Officer, Grace Elabor, commended the Lagos State Government for its continued support for the scheme and expressed optimism that the project would achieve its intended objectives.
Earlier, the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC, Christiana Salmwang, said the reconstruction would restore the scheme’s history, renew hope among staff and corps members, and further promote youth development in the state.
She explained that the property located at No. 1 Industrial Avenue, Yaba, was originally built by the Lagos State Government in the early 1980s as the permanent headquarters of the NYSC in Lagos.
According to her, years of operating from a temporary office in Surulere exposed the scheme to flooding, vandalism and the loss of important records, disrupting effective service delivery.
Salmwang commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for reviving the abandoned project and appealed to corporate organisations, development partners, alumni and other stakeholders to support its timely completion.
Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Social Development, Orekoya Abimbola, also called for accelerated completion of the project to provide a befitting working environment for NYSC officials and improve administrative efficiency.
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