ABUJA – The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its resolve to champion youth economic transformation across Africa by strengthening entrepreneurship, digital innovation and skills development for young Nigerians.
Speaking at an interactive session between the NYSC top management and key stakeholders held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, the Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said the NYSC remains committed to equipping graduates with practical skills that will enable them to create wealth and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to him, the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, introduced in 2012, has continued to empower Corps Members with vocational and entrepreneurial skills in line with the Federal Government's ongoing reform agenda. He noted that the Scheme is expanding the programme to align with emerging global trends in youth empowerment and economic development.
General Nafiu explained that the proposed government reforms complement the NYSC's vision of transforming SAED from a conventional skills acquisition initiative into a platform that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and digital inclusion.
He said the programme has significantly changed the orientation of many young graduates from seeking paid employment to establishing businesses through vocational training, enterprise development and entrepreneurship education.
The Director-General described the meeting's theme, "Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardized Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact," as a major step toward repositioning the programme to meet the demands of today's rapidly evolving global economy.
He commended stakeholders and development partners for their sustained confidence in the NYSC and acknowledged their contributions to the growth of the SAED programme over the years. He, however, urged them to deepen collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technology and the creative economy, noting that these areas are reshaping the future of employment.
General Nafiu stressed that Nigeria possesses one of the largest youth populations globally and said equipping young people with modern skills, digital competence and entrepreneurial capabilities would enable them to thrive both within Nigeria and internationally while contributing to economic growth.
He further disclosed that the long-term vision of the NYSC is to transform SAED into a national platform for youth economic empowerment. To achieve this, he said the curriculum must remain future-oriented by prioritising digital technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing, creative industries and other sectors with high growth potential.
The NYSC boss also called for stronger enterprise support systems capable of providing Corps Members with access to funding, post-camp mentorship, business incubation, market opportunities and advisory services needed to convert innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. He cited the recent partnership between the NYSC and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, as a model for future collaborations.
He urged participants at the forum to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations supported by reliable data that would clearly demonstrate the number of businesses established, jobs created, incomes generated and lives positively impacted through the SAED initiative.
General Nafiu equally appealed for increased collaboration with industries, financial institutions, technology companies, educational institutions and development partners to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.
He reiterated that the NYSC has evolved beyond being a one-year national service programme, describing it as one of Nigeria's leading institutions for nation-building and youth development. Looking ahead, he said he envisions a Scheme that serves as the country's largest platform for youth innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation while producing graduates who are globally competitive, technologically skilled and equipped to drive national productivity in line with the Federal Government's youth development objectives.
Earlier, the Acting Director of SAED, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka, said the engagement was organised to review the programme's achievements with partners and strengthen existing collaborations for greater success.
She revealed that between 2017 and 2023, Corps Members received a cumulative ₦283,911,000,000 in loans and grants to support entrepreneurial ventures through the SAED programme.
Mrs. Shokpeka expressed appreciation to major partners, including the Bank of Industry, Access Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Activate Success Foundation, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Foundation, Fidelity Bank, United Capital Assurance and several other public and private organisations for their unwavering support towards youth entrepreneurship.
She also emphasised the need to establish a standardised, data-driven framework that would eliminate inconsistencies in programme implementation, improve accountability and ensure that every intervention is measurable and properly documented.
According to her, dependable data remains essential for effective planning, informed decision-making, performance evaluation, transparency and continuous improvement, adding that future investments and success stories under the SAED programme must be backed by credible and verifiable evidence.
DIP CONNECT ONLINE NEWS reports that stakeholders at the meeting explored strategies for strengthening the SAED programme through improved data management, enhanced accountability and broader partnerships aimed at empowering more young Nigerians with sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities.
Adeola Kunle
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