Lagos State launches reconstruction of NYSC permanent secretariat

The Lagos State Government broke ground on Tuesday to rebuild the abandoned National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent secretariat in Yaba, ending more than four decades of inactivity. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mobolaji Ogunlende called the project a historic milestone for preserving the scheme’s legacy and urged the preservation of a historic statue on the site. Permanent Secretary Toyin Oke‑Osanyitolu said the new secretariat will strengthen youth service administration and improve service delivery. Other officials, including Southwest Area Officer Grace Elabor and NYSC Lagos Coordinator Christiana Salmwang, praised the effort and highlighted the original building’s construction in the early 1980s, noting that its loss forced the scheme into a temporary office prone to flooding and vandalism. Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu was credited for restoring the property and supporting the initiative.