The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Olakunle Nafiu, has described the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as a vital “Plan B” for corps members to ensure self-reliance and economic stability.
Addressing the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members in Kaduna on Friday, Nafiu urged them to fully embrace the SAED initiative during their orientation to build sustainable livelihoods.
He explained that the programme was designed to equip corps members with practical skills for self-employment, especially when job promises from relatives or white-collar opportunities fail to materialize.
“The SAED programme aims to make Nigerian graduates more business-minded, reduce dependence on government jobs, and promote youth-led entrepreneurship across the country,” Nafiu said.
He noted that the NYSC scheme was more than just a service year but a platform to prepare young Nigerians for future challenges while promoting national unity and development.
According to him, the government’s continued investment in youth education underscores its belief in their potential as drivers of national transformation.
Nafiu advised corps members not to treat the service year as a holiday but as a time to acquire new skills, expand their networks, and prepare for future opportunities.
He lauded Kaduna State for its hospitality, recalling his experience as a camp commandant in the state — his first NYSC posting — and assured corps members of continued support and safety.
The NYSC boss appealed to the Kaduna State government and local communities to sustain their tradition of caring for corps members, ensuring their welfare and security throughout the service year.
Nafiu further advised corps members to cultivate the habit of saving from their monthly stipends, stressing that financial discipline is key to future stability and investment.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had launched a ₦2 billion loan scheme through the Bank of Industry (BOI) to support corps members with viable business ideas and entrepreneurial projects.
“Each corps member can access up to ₦5 million at a single-digit interest rate of nine percent, repayable over three years, with a three-month grace period,” he said.
Nafiu described the initiative as a major step toward empowering young Nigerians, reducing unemployment, and driving innovation and productivity across the country.
He also cautioned corps members against night travel, urged them to respect local customs, use social media responsibly, and avoid political partisanship during their service year.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Efeke Dadaza, commended the corps members for their enthusiasm and encouraged them to actively participate in all orientation activities and uphold discipline.
She said the orientation course introduced corps members to NYSC’s core values, Nigerian culture, paramilitary drills, citizenship training, and skills acquisition — all aimed at preparing them for life after service.
