In a decisive move to confront Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment and widening skills gap, Codefest has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to equip young Nigerians with future-ready digital competencies during their service year.
The initiative is designed to reposition the NYSC programme from a transitional national obligation into a powerful platform for career development and economic empowerment. Through the partnership, corps members across the country will gain access to structured training in in-demand digital and technology skills, carefully aligned with current industry needs and global workforce trends.
Beyond theory, the programme places strong emphasis on practical, hands-on assessments that expose participants to real-world problem-solving, project execution, and performance-based evaluation. This approach ensures that corps members do not merely acquire knowledge, but graduate with demonstrable skills that employers value.
Participants will also earn professional certifications that strengthen their credibility in the labour market, giving them a competitive edge in securing employment, internships, remote work opportunities, or launching tech-enabled entrepreneurial ventures.
Stakeholders believe the collaboration could have far-reaching socio-economic impact by reducing graduate unemployment, improving workforce readiness, and channeling youthful energy into productive sectors of the economy. At a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, the partnership positions young people to actively participate in — and benefit from — this growth.
By integrating technology-driven learning into national service, the Codefest–NYSC partnership signals a shift towards solution-oriented youth development, reinforcing the idea that national service can also be a launchpad for sustainable careers and long-term national progress.