The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has taken steps to train members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to become digital solution providers, as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and promote innovation among young Nigerians.

The move was marked by the recent launch of the NITDA Innovation Space at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, where government officials, tech stakeholders and corps members gathered.

Speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the initiative was designed to respond to the changing nature of work and the growing number of young people entering the labour market.

He explained that between 3.5 million and 4 million young Nigerians join the labour force every year, a situation that makes it difficult for traditional jobs to meet demand.

“The world is changing fast. Many of the jobs we see today did not exist decades ago. If you want to succeed, you must build relevant skills and have a clear career plan,” he said.

Inuwa added that the goal of the programme is to ensure corps members leave service with practical skills or business ideas that can earn them a living.

He also encouraged young people to think ahead and make themselves visible in the digital space. According to him, standing out with skills and ideas reduces the need to depend on job hunting.

The Director-General of NYSC, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, described the initiative as a step in the right direction for youth development.

“We don’t just post corps members for service; we post them to add value and to be developed. What is happening here at NITDA is exactly what the country needs,” he said.

He added that the programme shows that corps members can do more than routine assignments.

“The youths we deploy are not just serving; they are solution providers,” Nafiu said.

The NYSC boss also disclosed that the scheme has started digitising its operations, including the introduction of digital ID cards for corps members.

At the event, corps members showcased digital solutions they have developed, including systems for identity management and service coordination.

One of the developers, Ruth Mmachi Owana-Jack, said her team created a Smart ID system to solve problems linked to multiple identity cards in organisations.

“Our solution combines a mobile app, a web platform and a single card for secure identification,” she explained.

Another participant, Lukman Abdullahi, said the training at NITDA helped him and others to understand real-life problems and build solutions around them.

“NITDA gave us the chance to think differently and create solutions that can work in the real world,” he said.

NITDA has for years engaged corps members through training and mentorship, helping them turn ideas into practical solutions. With this new move, the agency is pushing further to make the NYSC year a time for innovation and skill-building.