By Harriet Tornguvan
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to producing a generation of empowered Nigerian youths capable of shaping the country’s economic future through innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
General Nafiu stated this at the 2026 edition of the National Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (YEEP), held in Abuja, with the theme: “Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Courage and Impact.”
The NYSC boss said the Scheme would continue to promote youth empowerment and human capital development through digital solutions and strategic partnerships aimed at transforming Corps Members into self-reliant entrepreneurs.
He commended the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs Love Idoko-Uloko, for her efforts in promoting entrepreneurship among young Nigerians, including sensitising Corps Members across NYSC Orientation Camps on creativity, self-employment and business development.
General Nafiu noted that the Foundation had supported many Corps Members through business grants, skills acquisition programmes and mentorship opportunities, describing the partnership as a shared commitment to building a self-reliant generation of Nigerian youths.
“Our mission is clear; to empower the next generation to create jobs, not jobs to seek them,” he said.
The NYSC Director General explained that the Scheme remained a strategic nation-building institution, providing a platform for unity, service and mentorship while developing disciplined, resilient and productive young citizens.
He said the NYSC mandate aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth employment, inclusive growth, digital transformation and private-sector driven enterprise development.
According to him, the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme has continued to transform job seekers into job creators by equipping young Nigerians with practical skills, confidence and entrepreneurial knowledge.
He added that the continued partnership with Activate Success International Foundation would further strengthen efforts towards improving the welfare, empowerment and productive engagement of Corps Members nationwide.
The Founder of Activate Success International Foundation, Love Idoko-Uloko, said the organisation had impacted thousands of Nigerian youths, with over 85 per cent of supported businesses becoming formally registered.
She disclosed that more than N50 million had been provided as business grants to young Nigerians over the years, urging youths to turn their ideas into action by creating solutions and adding value to society.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, encouraged Nigerian youths to remain visionary, committed and disciplined in taking advantage of available opportunities to build successful futures.
A total of 25 youths received business grants of N500,000 each from Flutterwave, one of the partners of the Activate Success International Foundation, alongside other incentives.
The event was attended by notable personalities, including the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, among others.
Six partners, including the NYSC, were also recognised with awards for their contributions and support towards the success of the Activate Success International Foundation’s empowerment initiatives.
