Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has encouraged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state to adopt entrepreneurship as a means to secure financial independence instead of depending solely on scarce white-collar job opportunities. Speaking at the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop in Uyo, themed “Fine-Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare Experience,” Eno emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial skills for young graduates, highlighting that self-employment becomes increasingly vital in Nigeria due to its growing population and limited resources. He asserted that being an employer of labor through entrepreneurship is more fruitful than pursuing traditional employment.
Eno acknowledged the commitment of corps members in Akwa Ibom and commended their contributions to the state’s development, citing a recent award received by a corps member for excellence. He urged employers and stakeholders to foster better collaboration to improve the overall experience of corps members.
In support of this initiative, the NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu emphasized the significance of corps employers as partners in the scheme’s success. He called on employers to create supportive environments, provide quality mentorship, and ensure adequate welfare, including transport support and healthcare. Nafiu stressed the importance of respectful and discrimination-free workplaces for corps members.
The Akwa Ibom State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Akuagbaogu, noted that the workshop aims to reinforce collaboration between the NYSC and corps employers while addressing current administrative challenges. The forum also serves as a platform for assessing existing efforts and strategizing for enhanced welfare and productivity of corps members. The NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme was underscored as a crucial resource for equipping corps members with vocational skills, encouraging self-employment in light of rising unemployment and dwindling job opportunities in Nigeria.
