By Queen Kunde
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has launched a new partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) to equip Corps Members with financial literacy, stock trading knowledge and investment skills.
Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, announced the initiative during a visit to the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos, where he also witnessed the Closing Gong Ceremony.
General Nafiu described the collaboration as a major step towards preparing young Nigerians for financial independence and wealth creation.
According to him, the partnership will expose Corps Members to the workings of the capital market and help them understand how stock investments can create long-term financial opportunities.
“Today we embrace change, a new relationship that will empower our youths with financial literacy and open doors to investment opportunities previously out of their reach,” he said.
The NYSC boss noted that the partnership was long overdue, considering that the Scheme has existed for over five decades. He added that the initiative reflects a commitment to securing the future of Nigerian youths by giving them access to valuable investment knowledge.
Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, welcomed the NYSC delegation and expressed the group’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Scheme and other stakeholders in the capital market.
He praised NYSC for its role in promoting national unity and youth development, saying many opportunities exist within Nigeria’s financial system for young people to explore.
“We see immense opportunities in working with NYSC to advance financial literacy among Corps Members across the country,” Kwairanga said.
He added that the partnership would encourage a stronger savings culture among young Nigerians while boosting individual participation in the nation’s economic growth.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, disclosed that the Exchange currently has more than 323 listed securities, offering a wide range of investment options.
He said the Nigerian capital market has earned significant goodwill as a frontier market and described General Nafiu’s visit as a promising beginning for a mutually beneficial partnership.
Chiemeka further revealed that the Exchange maintains partnerships with several leading stock exchanges around the world, creating broader opportunities for investors.
The collaboration is expected to provide Corps Members with practical knowledge of savings, investment and wealth creation, helping them make informed financial decisions during and after their service year.