NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu has urged corps members to save money and create multiple income streams beyond their monthly allowance.
NYSC Pushes Savings, Entrepreneurship
Nafiu gave the advice on Wednesday during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja ahead of the NYSC’s 53rd anniversary scheduled for May 22.
Furthermore, he said the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme continues to teach corps members financial discipline, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
“We encourage them to save and think beyond monthly allowance. If you cannot save from N77,000, even if you are paid N300,000, you may still struggle to save,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nafiu explained that the scheme continues to expose corps members to small business opportunities and the growing digital economy. He said the programme also highlights remote jobs and online services for organisations outside Nigeria.
“The government anywhere in the world is not the highest employer of labour. It is small businesses and private enterprises that drive employment and economic growth,” he said.
NYSC Expands Digital Skills Opportunities
Furthermore, Nafiu disclosed that NYSC-supported initiatives have helped document more than one million corps members with the Corporate Affairs Commission as part of efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and formal business registration.
Consequently, he said NYSC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to digitise entrepreneurship training across the country.
He explained that the initiative will allow corps members to access online business training from any place of primary assignment. He added that the move will increase participation and improve access to practical digital and business skills.
DG Highlights Ventures, Trust Fund Plan
Meanwhile, Nafiu said NYSC Ventures has expanded through investments in farms, bakeries and water factories across the country.
“We have farms, bakeries and water factories where corps members acquire practical experience. Even if they do not continue those businesses later, they leave with valuable entrepreneurial and management skills,” he said.
However, he urged corps members to explore opportunities in the digital economy. He noted that many young Nigerians now earn legitimate income through data entry jobs and online support services for international organisations.
“Not all young people doing well are involved in internet fraud. Sometimes it is simply about ideas and awareness, and that is what we are exposing corps members to,” he added.
In response, Nafiu said the proposed NYSC Trust Fund would strengthen skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, staff training and ICT infrastructure. He added that the fund would also improve support for corps members who want to start businesses after national service.
External Links
