Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has issued a strong call to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, urging them to pivot towards entrepreneurship and self-employment rather than solely pursuing elusive white-collar jobs upon the conclusion of their mandatory national service. Governor Eno stressed that cultivating entrepreneurial skills is the most effective pathway for young Nigerian graduates to become employers of labour themselves and achieve genuine financial independence in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The governor articulated this crucial advice on Tuesday while officially inaugurating the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop, held in Uyo, the state capital. The workshop was convened with the overarching theme, “Fine-Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare Experience.” Governor Eno, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, emphasized that the current economic realities in Nigeria necessitate a proactive approach to career development.
“Today, being an employer of labour, an entrepreneur pays better than a white collar job,” Governor Eno declared through his representative. “Corps members must thrive to become employers of labour rather than job seekers. We are in a society where the population keeps increasing while we have limited resources, so I strongly commend the SAED scheme of the NYSC which is aimed at making our young people become employers and independent rather than job seekers.”
The governor’s message highlights a significant shift in the narrative around post-service aspirations for Nigerian graduates. The traditional pursuit of permanent employment in government or private sector offices is increasingly being overshadowed by the growing recognition of entrepreneurship as a viable and often more rewarding alternative. Governor Eno’s address underscored the importance of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which is designed to equip corps members with the practical vocational and business acumen required to launch and sustain their own enterprises.
Governor Eno further extended his commendation to the corps members currently serving in Akwa Ibom State, acknowledging their unwavering dedication and substantial contributions to the state’s ongoing development initiatives. He implored employers and all relevant stakeholders to redouble their collaborative efforts with the NYSC to further enhance the overall service experience and welfare of these young Nigerians.
“Let me specifically commend the corps members posted to Akwa Ibom State for their commitment, loyalty and dedication to service,” Governor Eno stated. “Yesterday, a Corps Member who served at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, received the State Award for Excellence. Let this serve as encouragement to all corps members serving in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria.” This specific mention of an award-winning corps member serves as a powerful testament to the impact and potential of young graduates when given the right opportunities and support.
Delivering the keynote address at the workshop, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, identified corps employers as indispensable partners in the successful realization of the NYSC scheme’s objectives. Represented by the Director of NYSC South-South Area Office II, Mr. Godfrey Nwaje, Brig.-Gen. Nafiu impressed upon employers the critical need to foster supportive work environments for corps members. He also stressed the importance of providing quality mentorship and ensuring adequate welfare provisions, which are essential for the corps members’ professional growth and personal well-being.
Brig.-Gen. Nafiu reiterated the fundamental responsibilities incumbent upon corps employers. These responsibilities, he detailed, include providing suitable accommodation or a commensurate accommodation allowance, offering essential transport support, ensuring access to necessary healthcare services, and prioritizing the security of corps members. Furthermore, he highlighted the imperative of creating opportunities for corps members to actively participate in Community Development Service (CDS) projects and other officially sanctioned NYSC activities, which are integral to their community engagement and national service experience.
“We must continue to foster workplaces that are respectful, supportive and free from all forms of discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse,” Brig.-Gen. Nafiu asserted, underscoring the NYSC’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of corps members.
The NYSC Director-General expressed a strong sense of optimism that the deliberations and outcomes of the workshop would yield practical, actionable recommendations. These recommendations, he anticipated, would serve to significantly strengthen the existing partnerships between the NYSC and its employers, thereby enhancing the welfare and overall experience of corps members across the nation.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Akwa Ibom State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Akuagbaogu, provided context for the annual workshop, explaining its strategic importance. She noted that the event is specifically organized to foster and consolidate collaboration between the NYSC scheme, corps employers, and other key stakeholders. The workshop, she added, also serves as a critical platform for addressing contemporary issues and emerging challenges that impact the effective administration of the NYSC programme.
Mrs. Akuagbaogu further elaborated that this forum provides a valuable opportunity to meticulously assess current initiatives, pinpoint existing challenges and obstacles, and collaboratively develop robust strategies. These strategies are aimed at systematically improving the welfare, boosting the productivity, and elevating the overall service experience of every corps member serving within the state and, by extension, nationwide.
The introduction of the NYSC’s SAED programme marked a significant evolution in the scheme’s mandate, moving beyond mere service provision to actively fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment among its participants. In an era characterized by escalating unemployment rates and a diminishing availability of conventional white-collar employment opportunities in Nigeria, the SAED initiative equips corps members with a diverse array of vocational and business-oriented skills. This proactive approach encourages them to consider entrepreneurship as a primary career trajectory, thereby contributing to job creation and economic diversification within their communities and the country at large. The governor’s reiteration of its importance underscores the SAED programme’s critical role in preparing graduates for the realities of the Nigerian labour market and equipping them with the tools to forge their own successful paths. The success of initiatives like the SAED programme, coupled with the encouragement from leaders like Governor Eno, signifies a growing momentum towards a more self-sufficient and entrepreneurial generation of Nigerian youth.
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