NYSC, Wema Bank equip outgoing corps members with employability skills

Benin City: The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has partnered with Wema Bank to equip outgoing 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members in Edo with employ-ability, entrepreneurship and personal branding skills.

The training is organised to ease the transition of the corps members into the labour market after their service year.

The one-day career fair and Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) workshop held in Benin on Monday, brought together experts to prepare corps members for employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong career development.

The Edo NYSC Coordinator, Mr Fasina Adedotun, in his remarks urged the corps members to take advantage of the opportunity, stressing that the reality of life after national service had arrived.

He noted that the workshop, organised in collaboration with Wema Bank under the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative, was designed to prepare participants for the next phase of their lives.

“You are lucky to be part of this programme because we have had several success stories from previous editions, and yours can also become another testimony.

“But for that testimony to come, you must be attentive, know what you are doing and maximise this opportunity.

“By the end of this week, you will leave the service year behind. The reality of life after NYSC is here. If you have not done anything in the last 11 months, today is your opportunity. Walk into it, believe in it, dream it and activate it,” he said.

The coordinator commended Wema Bank for partnering with the corps to strengthen the JAC programme, adding that the collaboration would simplify corps members’ transition into the world of work.

Also speaking, the Head of Youth Banking at Wema Bank, Ms Bunmi Ayodele, said the bank’s partnership with NYSC was driven by its commitment to empowering young Nigerians to achieve their career and business aspirations.

Ayodele explained that the bank, established in 1945, had continued to leverage innovation to create opportunities for young people through its youth-focused initiatives.

“We are here to share knowledge and extend opportunities to corps members who are passing out of NYSC.

“Whether your dream is to build a career, acquire a skill or become an entrepreneur, we are here to support you and help bring that dream to reality.

“We have taken this programme to different states, and after recently concluding in Nasarawa, we are now in Edo to prepare you for the labour market.

“When you finish NYSC, what next? How do you prepare yourself? How do you get ready for the realities of life? That is why we are here.

“You will receive training on employ-ability skills, personal branding and entrepreneurship. It is a comprehensive capacity-building programme and I encourage everyone to be intentional about learning and shaping their future,” she said.

Similarly, the Director of SAED, Mrs Delfila Eze, said that the initiative was introduced to ensure corps members do not leave the service year without practical support for their careers.

Eze represented by a deputy director in the directorate, said that SAED introduced in 2012, complemented the orientation camp and post-camp entrepreneurship training by preparing corps members for life after service.

“We asked ourselves after service what next? We don’t want to leave you on your own after volunteering to serve your country.

“That is why professionals are here today to teach you how to write winning CVs, prepare for interviews and connect with employers.

“There is nothing as good as completing national service and getting a job immediately afterwards. We already have success stories of former corps members who attended similar career fairs and secured employment.

“We want you to become part of those success stories,” she said.

She also urged the corps members to appreciate the privilege of completing their service year safely and expressed optimism that they would secure meaningful employment after service.

Earlier, the Head of SAED in Edo, Mrs Blessing Olong, said the workshop was organised to help corps members make informed decisions about their careers before exiting the scheme.

Olong said the programme targeted those seeking paid employment, entrepreneurship opportunities or further education.

“As your monthly allowance will soon stop, reality will set in. This programme is designed to help you think beyond NYSC and prepare for life after service.

“Your certificate is important, but your certificate alone cannot get you a job. You need skills. Continue learning, continue improving yourself and acquire relevant skills.

“For those who already have skills, you have given yourselves a good start. For those who do not, it is not too late to begin.

“I encourage you to pay attention, participate actively and ask questions because the knowledge you gain today will help you make better decisions about your future,” she said.

The workshop featured sessions on employ-ability skills, career readiness, personal branding, entrepreneurship and networking opportunities for the outgoing corps members.