PHOTOS: Corps members get N3.25m grants for business startups

The Activate Success International Foundation (ASIF) has awarded N3.25 million in grants to five National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to help them establish and expand their businesses.

The grants were presented during a ceremony at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

While three of the corps members received N750,000, two received N500,000 each.

Founder of ASIF, Love Idoko Uloko, said the initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment by empowering young Nigerians to turn their dreams into reality.

She noted that the deserving corps members were selected through a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based process, adding that the beneficiaries have demonstrated creativity, resilience, and a clear vision for the future.

She observed that the organization has supported about 53 corps members through the initiative, saying, “These are not just numbers; they are lives transformed.”

She also shared success stories of past beneficiaries, including Macauley Olayemi, who grew a cake business from scratch, and Mbuotidem John, whose seafood business expanded into a full-scale fish farm with ASIF’s support.

“These stories, and many more like them, are living proof of the profound impact of initiatives like this. They are a testament to what happens when we empower young people to chase their dreams instead of falling victim to the vices that too often derail potential,” she stated.

Idoko-Uloko lamented that Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate remains a pressing challenge, with millions of young people struggling to find opportunities to thrive.

Through this grant program, she said the foundation is not just “addressing this issue—we are creating a ripple effect of growth and innovation.”

“We are building a generation of self-reliant leaders who are equipped to transform their communities and contribute meaningfully to society.

“Looking ahead, the future of this program is bright. ASIF is committed to scaling our efforts, reaching even more Nigerian youths, and expanding the scope of our initiatives. We envision a Nigeria where no dream is too small to pursue, where every young person has access to the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to succeed.”

Director General, NYSC, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed, commended ASIF for its commitment to empowering corps members, stressing that the initiative is a game-changer in the fight against unemployment.