The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members to develop vocational and entrepreneurial skills that can help them become self-reliant and create employment opportunities for others.
Nafiu made the call on Wednesday while speaking to members of the 2026 Batch B Stream 2 at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
He noted that government could not provide jobs for everyone, urging the graduates to take advantage of their service year to acquire practical skills and explore opportunities outside formal employment.
According to him, corps members should not limit themselves to their university qualifications but should also learn trades and other income-generating skills.
He encouraged them to consider activities such as bead-making, hairdressing, gele tying, trading, investment and agriculture as possible avenues for earning a living.
Nafiu said the NYSC was also working on applications that would help corps members engage in trading and other economic activities.
He urged them to identify everyday needs within society and turn such needs into business opportunities, stressing that Nigeria’s large population provided a ready market for innovative entrepreneurs.
The NYSC boss further advised corps members to respect the traditions and culture of their host communities and remain politically neutral throughout their service year.
He cautioned them against unauthorised journeys and travelling at night, while asking those with medical conditions to disclose them so they could receive appropriate attention.
On security, Nafiu said Abia was among the states where corps members were deployed to every local government area. He urged them to promptly report security concerns to camp officials, particularly during the rainy season.
He also praised the Abia State Government for improving facilities at the orientation camp, saying the first phase of the renovation had been completed while preparations for the second phase were ongoing.
Nafiu disclosed that more than 53 doctors and 112 nurses were among the corps members currently serving in the state.
He appealed to residents to treat corps members as members of their families, saying such acceptance would promote national unity and integration.
Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in Abia, Yunusa Tanimu, said 1,739 corps members, made up of 758 males and 981 females, had been registered for the orientation programme.
Tanimu said activities at the camp were proceeding smoothly and commended Gov. Alex Otti for the infrastructural improvements carried out at the facility.
He listed the completed projects as hostel renovation, construction of internal roads, installation of solar-powered street lights and provision of a 110KVA generator.
However, he identified the absence of national grid electricity, a deteriorated clinic, inadequate kitchen facilities and insufficient camp equipment as some of the challenges still facing the camp.
He appealed to the state government to commence the second phase of the renovation, rebuild the clinic and provide an ambulance.
Nafiu later inspected facilities at the camp and watched a cultural performance staged by the corps members.