By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged Corps Members to embrace entrepreneurship and vocational skills as viable pathways to achieving financial independence and long-term economic stability.
Nafiu gave the charge during an interactive session with the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Corps Members deployed to Niger State, who are currently undergoing their orientation course at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, following the ongoing renovation of the Niger State camp.
He encouraged the Corps Members to maximise the opportunities provided by the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing entrepreneurship as essential for navigating today’s challenging economic environment.
The NYSC Director-General advised them not to depend solely on their monthly allowance or the expectation of securing white-collar jobs after service, but instead to acquire practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills capable of generating sustainable income.
According to him, the one-year national service presents a unique opportunity for Corps Members to develop marketable skills that can help them become self-reliant and employers of labour.
He also urged them to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, diversify their income sources and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth through innovation and enterprise.
Nafiu further encouraged the Corps Members to build lasting friendships during the orientation course, noting that relationships formed during national service often develop into valuable professional, business and leadership networks.
He stressed the importance of discipline throughout the service year and advised Corps Members to utilise established NYSC administrative channels for resolving grievances instead of unofficial platforms, assuring them that genuine concerns would receive prompt attention.
The Director-General also reminded them to uphold the core values of the Scheme by demonstrating integrity, responsibility and commitment at their places of primary assignment.
Earlier, the Niger State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim, disclosed that 783 Corps Members, comprising 296 males and 487 females, had been successfully registered for the orientation course.
She said the exercise had progressed smoothly through the collaboration of the NYSC, the Federal Capital Territory Secretariat and camp officials.
Ibrahim commended the Corps Members for their discipline and active participation in camp activities, describing their conduct as exemplary.
