NYSC at 53: DG Seeks Approval of Trust Fund to Boost Youth Entrepreneurship, Job Creation

Abuja, May 31, 2026 (NAN) – The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed for public support towards the approval of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund, describing it as a critical tool for expanding youth entrepreneurship and job creation in Nigeria.

Nafiu made the appeal during an appearance at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja as the Scheme marked its 53rd anniversary of promoting national unity and development.

According to him, the proposed Trust Fund would strengthen the NYSC's Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by providing start-up capital for Corps Members to establish businesses after service.

He noted that the initiative would not only create employment opportunities but also help curb youth restiveness by engaging young graduates in productive ventures capable of reducing idleness and social vices.

The Director-General said the NYSC had remained faithful to its mandate of fostering national unity, integration and socio-economic development since its establishment in 1973 by the administration of General Yakubu Gowon following the Nigerian Civil War.

He described the vision of the Scheme's founding fathers as commendable, noting that NYSC had promoted national cohesion through inter-tribal marriages, cultural exchange and the deployment of Corps Members to states outside their places of origin.

"Many lifelong friendships and relationships have been built through the deployment policy of the Scheme, and its contributions to national unity and development cannot be overemphasized," he said.

Nafiu stated that the Scheme had continued to evolve through technological innovations, including the introduction of electronic identity cards, digital record management, online camp registration and the use of social media platforms for information dissemination.

Speaking on the SAED programme, he explained that it was introduced in 2012 to strengthen the informal sector of the economy by equipping Corps Members with entrepreneurial and vocational skills.

He disclosed that NYSC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to further enhance entrepreneurship training.

According to him, more than 500,000 Corps Members have successfully registered their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) through the programme.

The NYSC boss also reaffirmed the management's commitment to ensuring seamless online registration and mobilization processes for prospective Corps Members.

On orientation camp facilities, Nafiu said accommodation remained a key factor in determining the number of Corps Members allocated to each state.

He emphasized that state governments, as stipulated in the NYSC Act, are responsible for providing and maintaining conducive orientation camps for the training of Corps Members.

The Director-General revealed that Enugu and Osun states are currently renovating their orientation camps, while Lagos State is constructing a new camp to improve the welfare of Corps Members posted to the state.

He added that state governments are expected to provide operational vehicles for State Coordinators and support camp operations, while local government councils are responsible for providing Corps lodges.

Nafiu said he had continued to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with these obligations.

He also urged Student Affairs Officers in Corps-producing institutions to submit the records of qualified graduates promptly to prevent delays in mobilization.

The Director-General disclosed that the Nigeria Education Repository Databank (NERD), a Federal Government initiative aimed at maintaining comprehensive records of Nigerian graduates, would receive the full cooperation of the NYSC.

On security, Nafiu advised Corps Members to comply strictly with established safety guidelines, including avoiding night travel, lone journeys and unnecessary risk-taking.

He said the NYSC had partnered with security agencies across the country to ensure the safety of Corps Members travelling to orientation camps and their places of primary assignment.

The DG further stated that all Corps Members are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme, which guarantees access to free medical care throughout their service year.

He noted that NYSC ventures, including farms, bakeries, water factories, garment production centres and other enterprise initiatives, not only provide vocational training opportunities but also generate revenue for the Scheme.

According to him, the initiatives are designed to instill a culture of savings and multiple income streams among Corps Members.

"Entrepreneurship development enables them to become self-reliant and also empowers them to train others in skills acquisition and self-employment," he said.

Nafiu added that the Scheme would continue to sensitize Corps Members on the responsible use of social media and encourage them to promote positive content that would not bring them into conflict with the law.