The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said it is strengthening efforts to drive youth economic transformation across Africa through expanded entrepreneurship and digital skills training, as stakeholders met in Abuja on Tuesday to discuss reforms aimed at improving the impact of its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Speaking at an interactive session between NYSC top management and stakeholders at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, NYSC Director General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu said the scheme is aligning its entrepreneurship initiatives with ongoing Nigerian government reforms and emerging global labour market trends.
Nafiu said the SAED programme, launched in 2012, has helped shift young Nigerian graduates from a job-seeking mindset to one focused on job creation by providing vocational training, entrepreneurship education and access to enterprise opportunities.
“The proposed Federal Government reforms align perfectly with the Scheme’s ongoing strategy for SAED, which makes it not only a skills centre but also a springboard for entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital inclusion,” he said.
He added that the programme has played a significant role in equipping corps members with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge needed to compete in a rapidly changing economy.
Focus on Future-Oriented Skills
The NYSC chief said the theme of the meeting, “Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardized Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact,” reflects the organisation’s commitment to modernising the programme.
He called for stronger collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technologies and the creative economy, sectors that are increasingly shaping global employment patterns.
According to Nafiu, Nigeria possesses one of the world’s youngest populations and can benefit significantly if young people acquire relevant digital, entrepreneurial and technical skills.
“NYSC’s vision is to make sure SAED evolves from a training programme into a national platform for youth economic transformation,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to redesign the SAED curriculum around high-growth sectors including digital technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing and creative industries.
Nafiu also stressed the need to strengthen enterprise support pathways for corps members after their service year. He said participants should explore ways to expand funding, mentorship, incubation programmes, market access and business advisory services.
He cited a recent partnership between NYSC and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos as an example of initiatives that can help young entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.
The Director General further called for evidence-based reforms supported by reliable data to measure outcomes, including businesses established, jobs created, incomes generated and lives impacted.
He appealed for deeper cooperation from industries, financial institutions, technology firms, development partners and educational institutions to sustain the programme’s long-term relevance.
“NYSC has always been more than a one-year national service programme,” Nafiu said. “As we look towards the next decade, I envisage a Scheme that not only promotes national unity and leadership development, but one that serves as Nigeria’s largest platform for youth innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.”
Earlier, NYSC Acting Director of SAED, Mrs Winifred Shokpeka, said the meeting was convened to review the programme’s performance and strengthen collaboration with public and private sector partners.
She disclosed that corps entrepreneurs across Nigeria received a cumulative ₦283.9 billion in loans and grants between 2017 and 2023 through the SAED programme.
Shokpeka credited institutions 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 for supporting youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
She emphasised the need for a standardised data-driven operating model that would improve accountability, eliminate inconsistencies and ensure transparent measurement of programme outcomes.
“In today’s rapidly evolving digital environment, data has become the foundation for effective planning, informed decision-making, performance measurement, transparency and continuous improvement,” she said.
