RismadarVoice Reporters
June 19, 2026
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 young Nigerians capable of driving the nation’s economic growth and development through entrepreneurship, innovation and digital empowerment.
General Nafiu asserted this while speaking 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 Director-General stated that the Scheme remains committed to youth empowerment and human capital development, stressing that it will continue to equip young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset required to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He commended the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs Love Idoko-Uloko, for her sustained efforts in promoting youth development and entrepreneurship across the country. He particularly praised her initiative of visiting NYSC orientation camps to sensitise corps members on self-employment opportunities, creativity and business development.
According to him, the foundation has supported thousands of corps members through business grants, mentorship programmes and skills acquisition initiatives, helping many young Nigerians establish sustainable ventures and achieve financial independence.
General Nafiu noted that the partnership between NYSC and Activate Success International Foundation is built on a shared vision of raising a self-reliant generation of Nigerian youths equipped with practical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
“Our mission is clear: to empower the next generation not merely to seek jobs, but to create them. We want to produce young men and women who possess not only academic qualifications but also the practical skills and mindset necessary for success in today’s economy,” he said.
The NYSC boss described the Scheme as one of Nigeria’s most strategic nation-building institutions, noting that its role has evolved beyond fostering national unity to deliberately mentoring disciplined, resilient and productive young citizens.
He explained that the NYSC mandate aligns closely with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth employment, inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and private-sector-led enterprise development.
General Nafiu highlighted the importance of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a critical tool for empowering corps members and supporting Nigeria’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises sector.
“The SAED programme is deliberately aligned with Nigeria’s MSME framework because small businesses remain the engine room for job creation, innovation and local value creation. Through this initiative, we are transforming job seekers into job creators by providing them with the necessary tools, training and confidence to succeed,” he said.
He further noted that the existing collaboration between NYSC and Activate Success International Foundation has delivered tangible benefits to corps members through grants, mentorship opportunities and post-camp entrepreneurial support programmes across the country.
The Director-General expressed appreciation to the foundation for its continued partnership with the Scheme and pledged that NYSC would strengthen the relationship to expand opportunities for corps members.
“NYSC remains steadfast in strengthening partnerships that advance the welfare, empowerment and productive engagement of our corps members. Our mandate remains unwavering in supporting the national aspiration for a prosperous and sustainable Nigeria,” he added.
In her remarks, the Founder of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs Love Idoko-Uloko, disclosed that the organisation has impacted thousands of young Nigerians through various empowerment programmes. She revealed that more than 85 per cent of businesses established through the foundation’s interventions have been formally registered and are operational.
She further stated that over N50 million has been disbursed to young entrepreneurs as business grants over the years, enabling beneficiaries to launch and expand their businesses.
Mrs Idoko-Uloko encouraged Nigerian youths to transform their ideas into practical solutions capable of creating value and addressing societal challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urged young Nigerians to remain visionary, disciplined and committed in order to take advantage of opportunities provided by the Federal Government for personal and national development.
As part of activities at the event, 25 young entrepreneurs received business grants of N500,000 each from Flutterwave, one of the programme’s partners, alongside other empowerment incentives aimed at supporting youth-led enterprises.
The event also featured contributions from several distinguished speakers, including Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and Hussein Baba Yusuf.
In recognition of their contributions to youth development and entrepreneurship, six partner organisations, including the NYSC, received awards for their support of Activate Success International Foundation and its empowerment initiatives.
