Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme

With a growing population of over 180 million people, Nigeria remains at a poverty index level of 53.7% according to UNDP. This contributes to food insecurity, job insecurity, and a poor human development index. Despite various reforms in the agricultural sector, food prices continue to rise, posing a threat to national food security. Moreover, the unemployment rate has been increasing, especially among the youth aged 15 – 25 years, contributing to increased violence, crime, and terrorism.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) initiated the SAED programme to tackle unemployment by empowering Corps members with entrepreneurial skills. Through a structured presence in the 774 local government areas (LGAs) of Nigeria, the programme promotes self-reliance via skill acquisition and entrepreneurial development, aligning with the SDGs of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

The program has reached over 1.4 million graduates, created 961 businesses, and generated 3,844 jobs as of 2019.