The Federal Government has announced plans to disburse N5 billion to empower at least 5,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for entrepreneurial ventures upon completing their service year. The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jimila Bio Ibrahim, made this announcement in Minna, Niger State, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps members posted to the state.

Dr. Ibrahim explained that each of the 5,000 Corps members would receive N10 million as a start-up grant to finance their business ideas. “We are implementing significant modifications to the NYSC program, including skill development and entrepreneurship during your service year.
These modifications are intended to make your NYSC experience both a term of national service and a time to develop useful skills and information,” she said while addressing the Corps members.

She also revealed that the restructured Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will start accepting applications this month. The plan has been simplified so that more young entrepreneurs can receive financial assistance for their creative ideas.

In addition, Dr. Ibrahim announced the launch of the National Youth Skills Program (NYSP) this month. “This program intends to train over one million young Nigerians in various industries such as agriculture, technology, and more.,” she stated.

At the event, Niger State Governor Muhammed Bago announced a donation of N320 million to be distributed among the 1,600 Corps members posted to the state to ease hardship and ensure their comfort. He also disclosed that N5 billion has been allocated for the construction of a new NYSC camp at Paiko in Paikoro LGA of the state.