The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has advised corps members to develop additional sources of income, warning that depending on a single income stream may not be enough to meet their daily needs.
Nafiu gave the advice while addressing members of the 2026 Batch C Stream One at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Anambra State on Monday, October 12, 2026, according to a report by PUNCH Newspapers.
The NYSC chief encouraged the young graduates to use their service year as an opportunity to acquire relevant skills, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and identify legitimate ways to improve their financial prospects.
His message focused on the importance of preparing for life after national service rather than depending entirely on monthly allowances or a single source of earnings.
Nafiu urged the corps members to remain open to learning, explore available opportunities and develop skills that could help them adapt to changing economic conditions.
He also encouraged them to build meaningful relationships during their service year, explaining that connections formed through professional and personal interactions could create opportunities beyond the orientation camp.
The director-general advised the young Nigerians to recognise their comparative advantages, build useful networks and consider long-term investments as part of their financial planning.
“Open your eyes, make friends and leverage comparative advantage. Buy shares for long-term investments,” he said, according to the report.
His remarks highlighted the importance of understanding investment as a long-term process rather than expecting immediate financial returns.
For corps members beginning their professional journeys, developing financial discipline and understanding the risks associated with different investment options can be important steps towards building greater economic stability.
Nafiu also urged them to embrace diligence and acquire as many useful skills as possible while they were still young.
The advice aligns with the NYSC's wider emphasis on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship through initiatives designed to prepare graduates for employment and self-employment.
The scheme's Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme provides opportunities for corps members to explore vocational training, business development and other practical skills that may support their transition into the labour market.
Beyond personal financial advancement, Nafiu encouraged corps members to make meaningful contributions to the communities where they are posted for their primary assignments.
He specifically urged them to take pride in the teaching profession and contribute to education by sharing knowledge with members of their host communities.
The director-general's visit also provided an opportunity to assess activities at the Anambra orientation camp and interact with officials responsible for the exercise.
In her camp situation report, the NYSC Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, disclosed that 1,623 corps members had registered for the orientation programme.
Ojisua described the corps members as disciplined, cooperative and supportive, adding that they had volunteered to serve on various committees and contributed positively to the smooth running of camp activities.
She expressed appreciation for the director-general's visit, describing it as an encouragement to both corps members and camp officials.
The advice comes as many young Nigerians face the challenge of transitioning from university or other tertiary institutions into a labour market where stable employment opportunities can be difficult to secure.
Developing practical skills, learning how to manage money and understanding legitimate investment opportunities may help graduates prepare for different career paths and financial responsibilities.
However, pursuing additional income should be balanced with careful planning, due diligence and awareness of investment risks, particularly for young people who may have limited financial resources.
Nafiu's message ultimately encourages corps members to treat national service as more than a compulsory assignment by using the period to develop useful skills, build relationships and prepare for their long-term economic future.