The National Youth Service Corps has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development, with the Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, declaring that the scheme would continue to produce graduates equipped to drive Nigeria's economic future.

Nafiu made this known during the 2026 National Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme in Abuja, themed "Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Courage and Impact."

He described the NYSC as one of Nigeria's strategic nation building institutions, adding that its mandate had evolved beyond national integration to encompass deliberate mentorship of disciplined, resilient and productive young citizens.

"Our mission is clear: to empower the next generation to create jobs, not seek them," he stated, noting that the scheme's Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme was being aligned with Nigeria's micro and small enterprise framework, which recognises MSMEs as an engine room for jobs, innovation and local value creation.

Nafiu praised the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs Love Idoko Uloko, for visiting NYSC orientation camps to sensitise corps members on creativity and self employment, adding that the foundation had provided business grants, facilitated skills training for more than a million youths and supported corps mentorship initiatives.

"Over the years, our partnership with Activate Success International Foundation has delivered real value to corps members in the form of grants, mentorship and post camp entrepreneurial support across the country," he disclosed.

Idoko Uloko disclosed that the foundation had disbursed ₦50 million in business grants to young Nigerians over the years, with more than 85% of supported businesses now formally registered.

Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urged Nigerian youths to remain visionary, committed and disciplined in leveraging government provided opportunities to secure their futures.

At the event, Flutterwave, one of the foundation's partners, awarded 25 youths business grants of ₦500,000 each. Six organisations, including the NYSC, also received awards recognising their support for the Activate Success International Foundation.