By Nkechi Ezs
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed for public support towards the approval of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund to strengthen entrepreneurship development and expand job creation opportunities for Corps Members across the country.
In an official signed statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, the Director-General said the Trust Fund would enhance the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by providing start-up capital for Corps Members to establish businesses after service.
General Nafiu stated this during his appearance at the News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Abuja as part of activities marking the 53rd anniversary of the NYSC.
He explained that the proposed fund would also help reduce youth restiveness by engaging young graduates in productive ventures capable of curbing idleness and social vices.
The NYSC helmsman noted that the Scheme had continued to fulfill its core mandate of promoting national unity, integration, and socio-economic development since its establishment by the administration of General Yakubu Gowon after the Nigerian Civil War.
According to him, the vision behind the establishment of the NYSC remains commendable, stressing that the Scheme has over the years fostered national cohesion through inter-tribal marriages, cultural integration, and the deployment of Corps Members outside their states of origin.
General Nafiu added that many enduring friendships and relationships have been built through the Scheme, while its contribution to national development remains significant and far-reaching.
He further disclosed that the NYSC has embraced technological innovations aimed at improving service delivery, including the introduction of electronic identity cards, digital record-keeping systems, online camp registration, and enhanced information dissemination through social media platforms.
Speaking on the SAED initiative, the Director-General said the programme was established to strengthen Nigeria’s informal economic sector through entrepreneurship development among Corps Members.
He revealed that the initiative, which commenced in 2012, has continued to evolve, citing the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University as part of efforts to deepen entrepreneurship training.
General Nafiu disclosed that over 500,000 Corps Members had successfully registered their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission through the initiative.
He reiterated Management’s commitment to ensuring seamless online registration processes for prospective Corps Members while emphasizing that accommodation capacity at orientation camps remains a major factor influencing the number of Corps Members deployed to each state.
The DG noted that state governments are statutorily expected under the NYSC Act to provide and maintain conducive orientation camp facilities for Corps Members.
He commended the governments of Enugu and Osun States for ongoing renovation works at their orientation camps, while also acknowledging Lagos State for constructing a new orientation camp to improve the welfare of Corps Members posted to the state.
General Nafiu further stated that state governments are responsible for providing operational vehicles for State Coordinators and subventions during orientation exercises, while local government chairmen are expected to provide Corps lodges.
He said the NYSC Management had continued to engage stakeholders at various levels to ensure compliance with these obligations.
The Director-General also appealed to Student Affairs Officers in Corps-producing institutions to ensure timely submission of names of qualified graduates to avoid delays in mobilization.
On the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, General Nafiu explained that the initiative is a Federal Government policy aimed at maintaining comprehensive records of Nigerian graduates, adding that the NYSC is fully prepared to comply with the directive.
The NYSC boss advised Corps Members to strictly adhere to the Scheme’s security guidelines and travel advisories, including avoiding night journeys, travelling alone, and engaging in risky adventures.
He added that the Scheme has sustained collaboration with security agencies to guarantee the safety of Corps Members travelling to orientation camps nationwide.
General Nafiu further disclosed that all Corps Members are enrolled under the National Health Insurance Authority health package, which provides free medical treatment throughout the service year.
He also highlighted the Scheme’s ventures, including farms, bread and water factories, garment factories, and other enterprise initiatives, as viable platforms through which Corps Members acquire vocational skills while generating internal revenue for the Scheme.
According to him, the NYSC is focused on inculcating a culture of savings and multiple streams of income among Corps Members through entrepreneurship and vocational development.
“Entrepreneurship development enables them to develop themselves and also train others to acquire new skills towards self-employment,” he said.
The Director-General added that the Scheme has continued to sensitize Corps Members on the responsible use of social media by encouraging positive engagement that would not place them at odds with the law.
