By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Abuja – The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving youth economic transformation in Africa by strengthening its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to equip young Nigerians with future-ready skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known during an interactive session between the Scheme’s top management and stakeholders at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
Nafiu said the SAED programme, introduced in 2012, has empowered thousands of Nigerian graduates with entrepreneurial knowledge and vocational skills, helping to shift the focus from job-seeking to job creation. He noted that the programme is being expanded to align with ongoing Federal Government reforms and global trends in youth empowerment.
According to him, the proposed reforms will transform SAED into a platform that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and digital inclusion while preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the evolving global economy.
He said the theme of the stakeholders’ meeting, “Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardized Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact,” reflects the Scheme’s determination to modernize the programme through evidence-based planning and measurable outcomes.
The NYSC Director General urged stakeholders to deepen collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technologies and the creative economy, stressing that these fields are reshaping the future of work.
Nafiu said Nigeria’s youthful population remains a strategic advantage if equipped with modern skills, digital competence and entrepreneurial capabilities, adding that the Scheme envisions SAED evolving into a national platform for youth economic transformation.
He also advocated a future-focused curriculum that prioritizes digital skills, fintech, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing and the creative industries, while calling for increased funding, mentorship, business incubation, market access and advisory services to support Corps Members after orientation camp.
The NYSC boss cited the Scheme’s recent partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University as a model for expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
He further urged participants to adopt a data-driven approach that would accurately measure the number of businesses created, jobs generated, incomes earned and lives impacted through the programme.
Earlier, the Acting Director of SAED, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka, said the stakeholders’ forum was convened to review the programme’s achievements and strengthen collaboration with development partners.
She disclosed that Corps Members received loans and grants totalling ₦283.9 billion between 2017 and 2023 to establish businesses across the country through the SAED programme.
Shokpeka commended institutions including the Bank of Industry, Access Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, BAT Nigeria Foundation, NNPC Foundation, Activate Success Foundation and United Capital Assurance for their continued support towards youth entrepreneurship.
She stressed the need for a standardized, data-driven operating model that would ensure accountability, transparency, consistency and measurable impact across all SAED interventions.
The meeting brought together stakeholders and development partners to explore strategies for strengthening the programme and enhancing its contribution to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and national economic development.
According to the NYSC, the reforms are aimed at positioning the Scheme as Nigeria’s largest platform for youth innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
