The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on corps members to embrace modesty and prioritize long-term financial planning. During a visit to the temporary orientation camp in Kurmi-Mashi, Kaduna State, the NYSC boss emphasized the importance of avoiding the trap of unnecessary luxury and living within one’s means during the service year.
According to updates shared on the scheme’s official channels and tracked by Zoyols News, General Nafiu urged the young graduates to develop a strong saving culture. He warned against the pressure to maintain lifestyles that exceed their current financial capacity, advising them instead to focus on building a stable foundation for their post-service lives.
Central to his message was the encouragement for corps members to fully engage with the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. The DG noted that the initiative is specifically designed to provide the practical tools needed for self-reliance. He urged the participants not to waste the precious time they have during their service year, stressing that diligence in post-camp training could eventually turn them into employers of labor rather than job seekers.
To support these entrepreneurial ambitions, the Director-General revealed that the NYSC has secured partnerships with various stakeholders. These collaborations are intended to provide corps members with access to business starter packs, grants, and low-interest loans. His advice to the aspiring business owners was simple: start small and allow the investment to grow steadily over time.
During the visit, the Kaduna State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Efeke Dadaza, provided a detailed briefing on the camp’s operations. She confirmed that 2,896 corps members are currently registered at the facility, a figure that includes those deployed to Kaduna and others relocated from the Federal Capital Territory. The coordinator noted that the current batch has adjusted well to the camp environment and is actively involved in the various orientation activities aimed at preparing them for the challenges ahead.
