The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to nurturing future economic leaders through youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and structured national service programmes.
Speaking on the role of the NYSC in national development, Nafiu emphasized that the Scheme goes beyond promoting national unity and integration among young Nigerians. According to him, the NYSC is strategically designed to equip graduates with practical skills, leadership qualities, and an entrepreneurial mindset capable of driving economic growth and sustainable development across the country.
He noted that the Scheme remains a critical platform for preparing young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the economy while developing the capacity to become innovators, employers of labour, and community leaders.
A key component of this vision, Nafiu explained, is the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which has become one of the NYSC’s flagship initiatives. Through the programme, corps members receive training in various vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial skills aimed at improving their employability and self-reliance.
The NYSC Director-General stated that the initiative encourages participants to become job creators rather than job seekers, helping to address youth unemployment while promoting economic productivity.
“Through programmes like SAED, corps members are empowered with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills that enable them to establish businesses, create opportunities, and contribute to national development,” he said.
Nafiu further highlighted the importance of discipline, innovation, and productivity among Nigerian youths, describing them as essential ingredients for the nation’s future economic stability and global competitiveness. He stressed that empowering young people remains one of the most effective ways of building a resilient economy and fostering sustainable growth.
The NYSC leadership has also continued to pursue reforms aimed at improving the overall experience of corps members. These include initiatives focused on enhancing welfare packages, strengthening training structures, and expanding partnerships with public and private sector organizations to support youth entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Observers say the continued emphasis on entrepreneurship and skills development aligns with broader national efforts to reduce unemployment and encourage self-sufficiency among graduates.
As Nigeria seeks new pathways for economic growth, the NYSC’s focus on developing leadership capacity and entrepreneurial talent among young people is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the country’s future workforce.
With millions of graduates having passed through the Scheme since its establishment, stakeholders believe the NYSC remains a valuable institution for cultivating the next generation of economic leaders capable of driving innovation, job creation, and national progress.