The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged Nigerian graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that they must move beyond seeking employment to becoming job creators, investors, and globally certified professionals.
Nafiu made the call in Abuja during the 4th consultative meeting between the NYSC and leaders of professional and regulatory agencies. He commended their efforts in sustaining a smooth mobilization process for corps members, emphasizing that professional certifications and additional skills would enhance the value of academic qualifications.
“Our graduates cannot merely be job seekers but must be job creators, investors, and globally certified professionals,” Nafiu declared.
The NYSC boss highlighted the Scheme’s role over the past five decades in fostering national unity and development through youth engagement. He revealed that plans are underway to reposition the service year as a hub for professional excellence, ethical leadership, and entrepreneurial innovation.
“I am confident that with your support, we can form a new legacy of competence and integrity. The future of Nigeria is in the hands of our youths. How we equip them today will determine the prosperity, unity, and global competitiveness of our nation tomorrow,” he added.
In his remarks, the Director of Corps Mobilization, Abubakar Muhammed, noted that collaboration with professional and regulatory bodies has significantly improved mobilization procedures and operational efficiency. However, he acknowledged that some procedural challenges still need to be addressed.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, JAMB, NECO, and NBTE, among others.
