The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has described the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as a vital “Plan B” for corps members to achieve self-reliance.
Addressing the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members in Kaduna on Friday, Nafiu urged them to take full advantage of the SAED initiative during orientation to build sustainable livelihoods.
He explained that the SAED programme equipped corps members with practical skills for self-employment, particularly when job promises or access to white-collar opportunities failed to materialise.
According to him, the initiative was designed to make Nigerian graduates business-oriented, thereby reducing dependence on government employment and promoting youth-led entrepreneurship nationwide.
Nafiu noted that NYSC was more than a year of national service but a platform to prepare young Nigerians for future challenges while fostering unity and development across the country.
He emphasised that government investment in youth education reflected its confidence in their potential as agents of transformation, urging corps members to take the responsibility seriously.
The Director-General advised corps members to go beyond routine participation by contributing meaningfully to national growth, even after completing their service year.
He cautioned them against treating the service year as a holiday, stressing that it should be used to acquire skills, build networks, and prepare for future opportunities.
Nafiu commended Kaduna State for its hospitality and shared his fond memories of serving as a camp commandant in the state, assuring corps members of continued support and safety.
He also appealed to the state government and host communities to sustain their tradition of prioritising corps members’ welfare, security, and well-being.
Nafiu encouraged corps members to cultivate a savings culture from their stipends, noting that financial discipline was key to future investments and stability.
He revealed that the government had introduced a ₦2 billion loan initiative through the Bank of Industry to support corps members with viable business ideas, allowing each participant to access up to ₦5 million at a nine per cent single-digit interest rate, repayable over three years with a three-month moratorium.
Describing the loan as a significant step to foster entrepreneurship, Nafiu said it would empower corps members to establish businesses, create jobs, and contribute to economic productivity.
He urged them to avoid night travel, respect local customs, use social media responsibly, and steer clear of political partisanship throughout their service.
Nafiu reiterated that depending solely on one source of income was unsustainable, advising corps members to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to financial independence.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mrs Efeke Dadaza, commended the corps members for their enthusiasm and encouraged them to participate fully in orientation activities and maintain discipline.
She said the course introduced corps members to NYSC’s core values, Nigerian culture, paramilitary drills, citizenship education, and skills acquisition programmes designed to aid their transition into the workforce.
(NAN)