NYSC, WEMA BANK, EQUIP KWARA CORPS MEMBERS WITH CAREER, EMPLOYMENT SKILLS

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of the National Directorate Headquarters, in partnership with Wema Bank, has organised a Job Advisory and Counselling Programme to equip the Corps Members of the 2025 Batch "B" Stream II in Kwara State, with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate employment, entrepreneurship and career opportunities after national service. The national JAC programme brought together Corps Members, NYSC officials, Wema Bank representatives and other facilitators for sessions on employability, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, personal branding, CV writing and professional development. Representing the Director-General of the NYSC, Deputy Director, SAED, Mrs Delphina Eze, highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in navigating the changing labour market.

Mrs Eze explained that the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme was established to equip Corps Members with practical skills, while the Career Fair initiative was introduced to complement these efforts by connecting Corps Members with professional employment opportunities. She urged the Corps Members to remain focused, develop relevant skills and avoid fraudulent or illegal schemes, promising quick financial gains. She also encouraged them to use social media platforms to showcase their skills and build professional visibility. Representing the NYSC State Coordinator at the programme, Mr Soliu Olanrewaju, described the programme as an important intervention to prepare Corps Members for the realities of the labour market. He encouraged participants to take advantage of the ideas, opportunities and professional connections presented during the programme, stressing that Corps Members should leave the service year with valuable skills and knowledge that can contribute to their personal and professional growth. The collaboration between NYSC and Wema Bank was also highlighted as part of efforts to support young people transitioning from national service into the workforce.

Speaking on entrepreneurship, Dr Prince Ajisefini Tajudeen of the Enterprise Grooming Institute, encouraged Corps Members to look beyond conventional white-collar jobs and identify opportunities by solving problems around them. He identified self-awareness, problem-solving, discipline and time management as important elements of discovering and pursuing purpose. He also encouraged participants to set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment encouraged Corps Members to acquire practical skills that could complement formal employment and create additional sources of income. Mr Rabiu Jamiu of the Migrants Resource Centre also advised participants interested in travelling abroad to follow legal migration procedures and avoid the risks associated with irregular migration. On employability, Mrs Rachel Adeoye of the Job Centre Unit described it as the ability to secure, retain and grow in a job. She encouraged participants to develop relevant skills, maintain updated CVs and make use of professional employment platforms such as LinkedIn and NELEX.

Mrs Adeoye further advised job seekers to tailor their CVs to specific vacancies, highlight relevant qualifications and experiences, and follow up professionally after interviews. The Head of Talent Acquisition at Wema Bank, Miss Nafeesat Ayodele, also provided guidance on CV writing, interview preparation and personal branding. She advised Corps Members to use professional language, highlight relevant experiences and include industry-specific keywords when applying for jobs. Participants were also encouraged to build their professional networks on LinkedIn by making relevant connections and engaging meaningfully with their networks. The entrepreneurship session featured an elevator-pitch competition in which five Corps Members were given one minute each to present their businesses and brands. Olayinka Abigail, an event planner, emerged as the winner and received a cash prize of ₦100,000.

The Head of SAED, Mr Kunle Amoo, introduced participants to online employment resources and provided guidance on preparing video CVs for employment platforms. He advised applicants to keep their videos concise, introduce themselves clearly, highlight their strengths and maintain a professional appearance. The programme provided the outgoing Corps Members with practical knowledge on transitioning from national service into the labour market, while exposing them to opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, skill development and professional networking. The organisers encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge gained and remain committed to continuous self-development as they begin the next phase of their careers.