The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, has commended the NNPC Foundation and Kudimata Nigeria Limited for empowering 531 Corps Members with business starter-packs under the NYSC flagship business empowerment programme.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony in Abuja, General Nafiu described the initiative as a strategic step towards bridging the gap in the value chain of training and empowerment, aimed at fostering self-reliance among Nigerian youths.

He recalled that the NYSC Management in 2012 integrated the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme into the Orientation Course, a move that has since transformed thousands of Corps Members into business owners across various sectors nationwide.

“The synergy between NYSC, NNPC Foundation and Kudimata has become a formidable force in providing gainful employment opportunities for graduate youths in Nigeria,” Nafiu stated. He urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the items, noting that the Scheme is open to further collaborations that support youth empowerment and wealth creation.

Group Chief Operating Officer of NNPC, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, congratulated the 531 Corps Members and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to investing in youth development to ensure sustainable impact. “We appreciate the partnership with NYSC. I urge you to utilize the starter-packs to grow your businesses and uphold accountability and excellence,” Ojulari charged the beneficiaries.

CEO of Kudimata Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Kathleen Erhimu, affirmed the organization’s dedication to promoting practical financial education and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths. She revealed that more than 750,000 Corps Members have so far benefitted from Kudimata’s initiatives in financial literacy, job creation, and personal development.

The beneficiaries, who were trained in 12 skill areas, received various business tools including solar power accessories, industrial sewing machines, standing ovens, laptops, motorcycles, printers, garden cleaners, and juice extractors.

In separate remarks, Samuel Enobong Duff (EK/23C/1013), a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Uyo who ventured into ICT, and Faith Ozigi (FC/23C/0531), an English Education graduate from Kogi State who now specializes in woodwork, metal, and fabrication, expressed gratitude to the donors. They pledged to make productive use of the starter-packs on behalf of their colleagues.