The Ekiti State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Alhaji Riko Abdullahi Shuaibu, has urged corps members to resist the growing “japa” trend and instead contribute to Nigeria’s development through entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
Shuaibu made the call in Ado-Ekiti during events marking the 53rd anniversary of the NYSC scheme. He said young Nigerians should focus on building opportunities at home rather than seeking greener pastures abroad.
“My advice to corps members is that this issue of japa, leaving the country in search of greener pastures, should stop,” he said. “Nigeria is our country. Why won’t we stay here and salvage it together? The moment you run away because of the situation of the country, you show you don’t have the country at heart.”
He stressed that Nigeria remained rich in resources and human capital capable of creating opportunities if properly harnessed. Shuaibu encouraged corps members to become employers of labour by taking advantage of the scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“We are not trying to groom youths looking for a ready-made economy. We are creating youths that will create their own economy and improve it. We have the resources, the ability, and the manpower. Our youths are intelligent.”
Shuaibu said the NYSC was designed to raise productive and self-reliant graduates, not job seekers dependent on white-collar employment. He highlighted the scheme’s contributions to national unity, discipline, and grassroots development over the past 53 years.
He noted that corps members in Ekiti had executed projects in health, education, environmental sanitation, and community development, including free medical outreaches, facility renovations, and sensitization campaigns in underserved communities.
Corps members at the event credited the scheme with building leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Eziokwu Iruoma Chiamaka, Vice President of the Community Development Service Editorial group, said NYSC had taught her discipline, resilience, and patience through leadership roles during service.
CDS leader Samson Moses said the scheme fostered unity among youths from diverse backgrounds and equipped many with practical skills for self-reliance.
“Most people come into service without skills, but after service they go home with something they can use to earn a living,” Moses said.
