In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and foster entrepreneurship, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has partnered with the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide corps members with better access to funding and business support.
The agreement, sealed at SMEDAN’s headquarters in Abuja, is a game-changer for thousands of young graduates looking to turn their skills into thriving businesses.
Speaking at the event, NYSC Director-General YD Ahmed highlighted the significance of financial support in unlocking the potential of Nigerian youth.
“Every year, we equip over 400,000 corps members with business ideas and vocational skills. But without access to start-up capital, their dreams often remain just that—dreams. This partnership will help bridge that gap and boost Nigeria’s economy,” Ahmed said.
SMEDAN’s Director-General, Charles Odii, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the collaboration aims to produce 50,000 young entrepreneurs annually.
“Corps members are graduates, and with the right training and support, they can become job creators rather than job seekers,” Odii stated, pledging SMEDAN’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians.
This initiative offers a new ray of hope for corps members looking to start businesses after their service year, reinforcing the government’s push for job creation and economic growth.