In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and promote economic self-reliance, the Benue State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Garba Veronica, has urged Corps Members to embrace entrepreneurship through active participation in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Delivering the keynote lecture at the opening ceremony of the SAED training session held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Mrs. Garba congratulated the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Corps Members for their successful mobilization and call to serve the nation.
Speaking on the theme “Entrepreneurship as a Tool for National Development and Self-Reliance,” Mrs. Garba emphasized the need for Nigerian youths to shift their focus from over-dependence on white-collar jobs to building sustainable businesses and creating employment opportunities for others.
“The growing rate of unemployment in our country is a reality we can no longer ignore. Through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, you can take control of your future, become self-reliant, and contribute to the economic development of Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs. Garba highlighted the objectives of the SAED programme, explaining that it was designed to equip Corps Members with practical vocational skills and entrepreneurial knowledge, enabling them to transform ideas into profitable ventures. She reiterated that the programme was not optional, stressing that active participation was compulsory for all Corps Members during the Orientation period.
The State Coordinator outlined the eleven major skill sets available for training, including Agro-Allied, ICT, Creative Industry, Cosmetology, Culinary Services, Automobile, Green Energy, Construction, and Logistics Services. She particularly encouraged participants to explore opportunities in ICT and Creative Industry, describing them as rapidly expanding sectors with both local and international prospects.
Mrs. Garba also commended the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the NNPC/Kudimata financial literacy initiative, both of which, she noted, offer additional platforms for Corps Members to acquire technical and financial management skills critical for business success.
She informed the gathering that officers from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Centre for Management Development (CMD) would be on hand to train Corps Members on how to write feasible business plans and access start-up funding through various partner financial institutions.
“This programme is not just about learning a trade; it’s about opening doors to real business opportunities, access to funding, mentorship, and life-changing empowerment schemes,” she remarked.
Mrs. Garba further revealed that several regulatory agencies including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) would conduct sensitization sessions during the Orientation exercise to guide aspiring entrepreneurs on business registration and product certification processes.
She concluded by urging the Corps Members to approach the SAED programme with enthusiasm and a positive mindset, assuring them that the NYSC remains committed to youth empowerment and national development.
“I charge you all to seize this opportunity and turn your ideas into reality. Many young people before you have succeeded through this programme — you too can,” she said.
The event attracted SAED trainers, camp officials, Corps Members, and representatives of partner agencies, marking the official commencement of the in-camp entrepreneurship training for the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II in Benue State.
