In defense of the NYSC SAED Programme

Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), an acronym for a NYSC programme established in 2012, was designed to tackle the pervasive issue of unemployment, a significant challenge confronting Nigerian youths and graduates today. This issue has become a matter of national concern as some of our most educated and dynamic individuals are not actively contributing to economic and social development.

The SAED program was charged with raising awareness among corps members about the realities of the Nigerian job market. By offering foundational entrepreneurship training and practical skills, it aimed to empower them to consider the possibilities of self-employment or initiating their own businesses.

Many corps members harbour disdain for the program, often attributing it to the lengthy duration of both the lectures and practical sessions. During our orientation camp, the program ran daily from 9am to 2pm, spanning five hours. In the classroom, it was common to observe corps members dozing off, engrossed in their smartphones, displaying signs of fatigue, or engaging in other forms of unserious behaviour.

To me, that period was the highlight of the orientation camp. I gained invaluable knowledge, particularly during the lecture delivered by an official from the National Directorate of Employment following the distribution of the guidebook titled “Starting My Own Small Business: Participant’s Workbook.” This lecture served as a pivotal and transformative moment for anyone who was responsible and attentive.

We were imparted with comprehensive insights into the intricacies of establishing a formal business in Nigeria, along with the diverse opportunities available across various sectors. Additionally, we learned about the avenues through which one could secure grants or loans from government agencies tasked with that responsibility or from commercial banks to facilitate business expansion.

Many individuals who had successfully leveraged these opportunities were invited to deliver practical lectures, and they did so with professionalism and expertise. Their firsthand experiences served as invaluable lessons for us, providing practical insights and guidance on how to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape effectively.