Don’t wait for white collar jobs – Gov Umo Eno to NYSC members

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, posted to the state to to take up entrepreneurship skills rather than hoping for white collar jobs after completing the mandatory one year scheme.

Eno said entrepreneurial skills would position graduates to be financially independent and make them employers of labour.

He spoke on Tuesday while declaring open the 2026 NYSC Corps Employers’ Workshop in Uyo, themed ‘Fine-Tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare Experience’. He was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem.

The governor encouraged corps members to take advantage of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, noting that Nigeria’s growing population and limited resources make self-employment increasingly important.

“Today, being an employer of labour, an entrepreneur pays better than a white collar job. Corps members must thrive to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.

“We are in a society where the population keeps increasing while we have limited resources, so I strongly commend the SAED scheme of the NYSC which is aimed at making our young people become employers and independent rather than job seekers,” Eno said.

The governor also commended corps members serving in Akwa Ibom for their dedication and contributions to the state’s development, urging employers and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to improve their service experience.

“Let me specifically commend the corps members posted to Akwa Ibom State for their commitment, loyalty and dedication to service. Yesterday, a corps member who served at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, received the State Award for Excellence.

“Let this serve as encouragement to all corps members serving in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria,” he said.