NYSC moves to overhaul of SAED

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has unveiled plans to overhaul its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme with a data-driven operating model, following the disbursement of N283.9 billion in loans and grants to corps members’ businesses between 2017 and 2023.

The proposed reforms are aimed at standardising programme delivery, strengthening accountability and measuring the impact of youth entrepreneurship initiatives, as the scheme seeks to position SAED as a national platform for economic transformation.

According to a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations on Tuesday, Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of the NYSC, disclosed this during an interactive session between the Scheme’s top management and stakeholders at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “Transforming SAED: Building a Data-Driven Operating Model for Standardised Delivery, Accountability and Measurable Impact,” Nafiu said the reforms align with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to equip young Nigerians with skills for entrepreneurship, innovation and the digital economy.

According to him, the SAED programme, introduced in 2012, has shifted the focus of many corps members from seeking paid employment to creating businesses and employment opportunities.

“The proposed Federal Government reforms align perfectly with the Scheme’s ongoing strategy for SAED, which makes it not only a skills centre but also a springboard for entrepreneurship, innovation and digital inclusion,” he said.

Nafiu noted that the NYSC is expanding the scope of SAED to reflect global trends in youth empowerment and the changing nature of work driven by technology.

He identified artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital platforms, remote work, green technologies and the creative economy as emerging areas that should be integrated into the programme’s curriculum.

According to the NYSC boss, the vision is to transform SAED from a training initiative into a national platform for youth economic transformation capable of producing globally competitive entrepreneurs.

“Our vision is to ensure SAED evolves from a training programme into a national platform for youth economic transformation,” he said.

He added that the curriculum would become more future-focused by strengthening training in digital skills, artificial intelligence, financial technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing and other high-growth sectors.

Nafiu also called for stronger partnerships with industries, financial institutions, technology firms, development partners and educational institutions to improve access to finance, post-camp mentorship, incubation, market opportunities and business advisory services for corps members.

He cited the Scheme’s recent partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University as a model for expanding support to young entrepreneurs beyond orientation camps.

The Director-General stressed the importance of using reliable data to evaluate the programme’s performance, urging stakeholders to develop measurable indicators that track businesses established, jobs created, incomes generated and lives transformed through SAED interventions.

“Evidence-driven resolutions backed by credible data will enable us to demonstrate the impact of the programme and strengthen transparency and accountability,” he said.

Earlier, Winifred Shokpeka, the Acting Director of SAED, disclosed that corps entrepreneurs received a cumulative N283.9 billion in loans and grants between 2017 and 2023 through partnerships with financial institutions and development organisations.

She said the support was made possible through collaborations with the Bank of Industry, Access Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Activate Success Foundation, NNPC Foundation, Fidelity Bank, United Capital Assurance and other public and private sector partners.

Shokpeka explained that the stakeholder meeting was convened to review the programme’s performance and strengthen collaboration towards developing a standardised, data-driven operating model that eliminates inconsistencies and improves accountability.

She emphasised the need to ensure that every intervention under the SAED programme is measurable, every investment accounted for and every success story supported by credible data.

“In today’s rapidly evolving digital environment, data has become the foundation for effective planning, informed decision-making, performance measurement, transparency and continuous improvement,” she said.

The NYSC said the proposed reforms are expected to enhance the relevance of the SAED programme, strengthen youth entrepreneurship and equip corps members with the skills required to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.