By Abiodun Abdullai
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it has equipped 58,933 corps members with digital skills over the last two years as part of efforts to expand youth entrepreneurship and employability.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this at a youth development retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja.
He explained that 56,013 corps members received ICT training at orientation camps across the country, while 2,920 female corps members benefitted from a partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre.
According to him, the initiative is part of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, supported by Access Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, BATN Foundation, NNPC Foundation/Kudimata, and Activate Success.
Between June 2023 and the second quarter of 2025, 385,461 corps members participated in the SAED programme, with 1,118 receiving financial support to start small businesses.
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The DG added that 574,000 corps members were deployed to schools, mainly in rural areas, while 38,112 worked in health facilities. In addition, nearly 50,000 Nigerians benefitted from free medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.
Nafiu described the scheme's contributions as aligned with the government's Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging more collaboration with public and private sector partners to expand opportunities for young people.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the ministry had surpassed its target of training 10,000 youths in digital skills, recording 15,509 trainees. He added that over 97,000 young people benefitted from mentorship and career programmes, while more than 250,000 participated in the Nigerian Youth Academy.
He called for faster implementation of the National Youth Investment Fund to scale up youth-focused initiatives nationwide.
