NYSC Recommits to Youth Economic Transformation, Seeks Stronger Stakeholder Partnerships

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving youth economic transformation across Africa, unveiling plans to reposition its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as a national platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the commitment while delivering the keynote address at an interactive session between the Scheme's top management and stakeholders held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

Nafiu said the SAED programme, introduced in 2012, has empowered thousands of Nigerian graduates with entrepreneurial and vocational skills, helping to shift the focus from job-seeking to job creation in line with the Federal Government's ongoing economic reforms.

According to him, the NYSC is expanding the scope of the programme to align with emerging global trends and the evolving demands of the modern economy.

"The proposed Federal Government reforms align perfectly with the Scheme's ongoing strategy for SAED, making it not only a skills centre but also a springboard for entrepreneurship, innovation and digital inclusion," he said.

He explained that the theme of the meeting, "Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardized Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact," reflects the Scheme's determination to modernise the programme and improve its effectiveness through evidence-based planning.

The NYSC boss urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technologies and the creative economy, noting that these areas are reshaping the future of work and creating new opportunities for young people.

Nafiu stressed that Nigeria's youthful population remains one of its greatest assets, adding that equipping young graduates with digital competence, entrepreneurial skills and innovation-driven mindsets would position them to compete globally while contributing to national development.

He said the Scheme envisions transforming SAED from a training initiative into a comprehensive youth economic empowerment platform, with renewed emphasis on digital skills, financial technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing and other high-growth sectors.

The Director-General also called for stronger enterprise support systems, including increased funding, mentorship, business incubation, access to finance, market linkages and advisory services to enable corps members to build sustainable businesses. He cited the recent partnership between the NYSC and the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University as a model for future collaborations.

Nafiu further urged participants to adopt a data-driven approach that would accurately measure the programme's impact by tracking businesses established, jobs created, income generated and lives transformed.

He also appealed for deeper partnerships with industries, financial institutions, technology companies, development organisations and educational institutions to sustain the relevance and impact of the SAED programme.

Earlier, the Acting Director of SAED, Mrs Winifred Shokpeka, said the meeting was convened to review the programme's achievements and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders for greater impact.

She disclosed that between 2017 and 2023, corps members received a cumulative ₦283.9 billion in loans and grants to finance business ventures through the SAED programme.

Shokpeka commended key partners, including the Bank of Industry, Access Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Activate Success Foundation, NNPC Foundation, Fidelity Bank and United Capital Assurance, among others, for supporting youth entrepreneurship.

She emphasised the importance of developing a standardised data-driven framework that would eliminate inconsistencies, improve accountability and ensure that every intervention, investment and success story under the SAED programme is backed by credible and measurable data.

According to her, reliable data remains essential for effective planning, informed decision-making, transparency and the continuous improvement of the NYSC's youth empowerment initiatives.