NYSC to Shape Nigeria’s Economic Future Through Youth Entrepreneurship, Says DG
Oru Leonard
ABUJA — The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to producing a generation of young Nigerians capable of driving the nation’s economic growth through entrepreneurship, innovation and digital empowerment.
Speaking at the 2026 edition of the National Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (YEEP) in Abuja, themed “Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Courage and Impact,” Nafiu said the NYSC would continue to equip young people with the skills and mindset needed to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He praised the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs. Love Idoko-Uloko, for her longstanding support for corps members through entrepreneurship sensitisation programmes, business grants, skills training and mentorship opportunities.
According to the NYSC boss, the partnership between the Scheme and the foundation is anchored on a shared vision of building a self-reliant generation of Nigerian youths equipped with practical skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
“Our mission is clear: to empower the next generation to create jobs, not seek them,” Nafiu said.
He noted that the NYSC remains a strategic nation-building institution that has evolved beyond fostering national unity to deliberately mentoring disciplined, resilient and productive young citizens.
Nafiu added that the Scheme’s mandate aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth employment, inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and private-sector-led enterprise development.
He highlighted the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as a key initiative supporting Nigeria’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) framework by promoting job creation, innovation and local value addition.
“Through SAED, many young Nigerians have been transformed from job seekers into job creators by providing them with the tools, skills and confidence needed to shape their futures,” he said.
The Director General said the collaboration with Activate Success International Foundation had delivered tangible benefits to corps members nationwide through grants, mentorship and post-camp entrepreneurial support, pledging that the partnership would be further strengthened.
“NYSC remains steadfast in strengthening partnerships that advance the welfare, empowerment and productive engagement of our corps members,” he stated.
In her remarks, Idoko-Uloko said the foundation had impacted thousands of Nigerian youths, with more than 85 per cent of supported businesses successfully registered. She disclosed that over ₦50 million had been disbursed as business grants to young entrepreneurs over the years.
She encouraged youths to transform their ideas into practical solutions that create value and address societal challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urged young Nigerians to remain visionary, disciplined and committed in taking advantage of opportunities provided by the Federal Government to build successful careers and businesses.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of business grants worth ₦500,000 each to 25 youths by Flutterwave, one of the programme’s partners, alongside other support incentives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship.
The event also featured goodwill messages from several dignitaries, including the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf.
Six partner organisations, including the NYSC, received awards in recognition of their contributions to the activities and objectives of Activate Success International Foundation.
