NYSC Promotes Entrepreneurship, Remote Work Opportunities for Corps Members
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members to develop a strong savings culture and explore multiple sources of income beyond their monthly allowance. Speaking at a forum in Abuja ahead of the scheme’s 53rd anniversary, he emphasized that financial discipline should begin with saving even a portion of the NYSC stipend, noting that the habit is essential regardless of income level.
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Beyond the Allowance: NYSC Urges Corps Members to Embrace Saving and Entrepreneurship
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has called on corps members across Nigeria to adopt stronger financial habits by saving part of their monthly allowance and building additional income streams beyond their service stipend.
He made the appeal during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, ahead of the NYSC’s 53rd anniversary scheduled for May 22.
Nafiu emphasized the importance of financial discipline among young graduates serving in the national programme, noting that learning to save early can shape long-term financial stability.
According to him, corps members should not depend solely on their monthly allowance but should intentionally develop a savings habit and explore other income opportunities.
“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.
### Entrepreneurship as a path to self-reliance
The NYSC boss highlighted the role of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme in equipping corps members with practical skills for business creation and financial independence.
He explained that the initiative continues to expose young Nigerians to entrepreneurship, small business development, and opportunities within the digital economy, including remote work and online service delivery for international clients.
Nafiu stressed that job creation in any economy is largely driven by small businesses rather than government employment.
“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.
According to him, more than one million corps members have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission through NYSC-supported initiatives that encourage business formalisation and entrepreneurship.
He also disclosed that the scheme recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to digitise entrepreneurship training for corps members nationwide.
This development, he noted, will allow corps members to access training online regardless of their place of primary assignment, expanding participation and improving access to practical business knowledge.
Nafiu further explained that NYSC Ventures has expanded its operations into areas such as agriculture, bakery production, and water processing. These ventures provide corps members with real-world industry exposure while contributing to production and service delivery.
“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.
He also encouraged corps members to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy, noting that many young Nigerians are already earning legitimate income through remote jobs such as data entry and online support services.
Nafiu urged corps members not to assume that online success is linked to fraud, but rather to recognize the growing importance of digital skills and global remote work opportunities.
“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.
Looking ahead, the NYSC Director-General said the proposed NYSC Trust Fund would further enhance skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, staff training, and ICT infrastructure. It is expected to provide stronger support for corps members who wish to build viable businesses after their national service.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with youth unemployment and economic transition, the message from NYSC leadership is clear: financial discipline, skill development, and entrepreneurship are becoming essential tools for the next generation.
