Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has sought stronger collaboration with the European Union (EU) to expand digital skills development under the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Nafiu made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, at the EU Mission in Abuja.
He said the NYSC is committed to strengthening staff capacity through seminars, workshops and other professional development initiatives, stressing that partnerships with development organisations such as the EU are essential to improving the delivery of the Scheme’s mandate.
The Director General commended the European Union for its continued support for Nigerian youths through programmes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
He explained that the SAED programme was introduced in 2012 to tackle graduate unemployment by equipping corps members with practical and entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and create jobs for others.
According to him, the initiative has trained thousands of corps members, many of whom have established successful businesses, while also attracting grants and support from several development partners.
In his remarks, Mr. Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the SAED programme as a strategic initiative capable of driving national development.
He said the EU remains committed to supporting development projects in Nigeria through its implementing partners, with focus areas including digital technology, youth and women empowerment, agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare and children’s development.
Mignot also disclosed that some European financial institutions have begun operations in Nigeria to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He identified limited access to finance as a major challenge facing small businesses and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youths through education and skills development programmes that enhance employability and ease their transition into the labour market.
