The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving youth economic transformation across Africa by expanding its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to equip young Nigerians with skills required for the evolving global economy.
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Caroline Embu, the Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated this while delivering a keynote address at an interactive session between the NYSC top management and stakeholders at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
The statement said Brigadier General Nafiu noted that since the introduction of the SAED programme in 2012, the NYSC has remained at the forefront of empowering young graduates with entrepreneurial knowledge and vocational skills, in line with the Federal Government’s proposed reforms.
He explained that the Scheme is intensifying efforts to expand the scope of the programme to keep pace with government reforms and emerging global trends in youth empowerment.
According to the statement, the NYSC Director General said the proposed reforms align with the Scheme’s strategy of transforming SAED from a skills acquisition initiative into a platform for entrepreneurship, innovation and digital inclusion.
He observed that the programme has shifted the focus of many corps members from job seeking to job creation by exposing them to vocational skills, entrepreneurship training and enterprise opportunities.
Brigadier General Nafiu described the theme of the meeting, “Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardized Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact,” as a strategic step towards repositioning the programme to meet the demands of the contemporary global economy.
He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technologies and the creative economy, noting that these sectors are redefining the future of work.
The statement added that the NYSC helmsman expressed appreciation to stakeholders and partner organisations for their sustained support, which he said has strengthened the SAED programme and expanded opportunities for thousands of corps members across the country.
He further stated that Nigeria’s youthful population possesses enormous potential to compete globally if equipped with modern skills, entrepreneurial capabilities and digital competence.
Brigadier General Nafiu said the Scheme envisions transforming SAED into a national platform for youth economic transformation, with greater emphasis on digital skills, artificial intelligence, financial technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing and the creative industries.
He also urged participants to strengthen enterprise development pathways by securing increased funding for post-camp mentorship, business incubation, access to finance, market opportunities and advisory services that would enable corps members to build sustainable businesses.
According to the statement, he cited the recent partnership between the NYSC and the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, as a model for future collaborations.
The Director General also called for evidence-based resolutions supported by credible data to accurately measure businesses established, jobs created, incomes generated and lives transformed through the SAED programme.
He appealed for stronger partnerships with industries, financial institutions, technology companies, development partners and educational institutions to sustain the programme’s impact and relevance.
Earlier, the Acting Director of SAED, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka, said the meeting was convened to present the programme’s scorecard to stakeholders and strengthen long-standing partnerships for greater success.
She disclosed that between 2017 and 2023, the SAED programme secured cumulative loans and grants worth ₦283.9 billion to support corps members’ businesses nationwide.
Mrs. Shokpeka commended 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 their continued support towards youth entrepreneurship.
She stressed the need for a standardised data-driven operating model that would improve accountability, eliminate inconsistencies and ensure that every intervention, investment and success story under the SAED programme is backed by credible and verifiable data.
