Tag: NYSC Corps members

Let’s face it: NYSC is a year of mixed feelings.

You’re away from home, living on a budget, adjusting to a new place, all while trying to stay sane and maybe even build something for your future.

Yes, the federal allowance is now N77,000, a big improvement from the old N33k. But once you subtract transport, food, light bills (if you’re lucky to have any), data subscriptions, and those unexpected “we go contribute small money” moments… let’s just say the money starts vanishing before it even hits your account.

So if you’re thinking, “How can I make extra cash without killing myself in the process?” you’re not alone. 

This is where a side hustle comes in, but before you run off to start one, let’s pause and ask the one question that matters most:

What Value Do You Have to Offer?

Forget the trendy hustle lists. The first step is to figure out:
What skill, knowledge, or energy do I carry that people need and will pay for?

• Can you write or explain things clearly? That’s content creation or tutoring.
  
• Are you skilled in creating designs, layouts, or presentations? That’s graphic design or social media.
  
• Are you good at organising people or tasks? You can become a virtual assistant.
  

The hustle should fit YOU. Not the other way around.

Now, let’s explore side hustles that work with what you already have, especially as a corps member with limited time, energy, and (let’s be honest) cash.

Side hustles you can start during NYSC

1. Content Creation / Social Media Management

You don’t need 50k followers to create content for brands or manage accounts.
Many small businesses, churches, and creators are looking for help with captions, post design, video editing, and follower engagement. 

Start with:

• Canva for designs
  
• CapCut or InShot for reels and TikTok
  
• Scheduling apps like Buffer or Meta Business Suite
  

Tips:

• N15k–N50k monthly per account
  
• Bonus: You can manage multiple brands remotely
  

2.  Freelance Digital Services (Writing, Design, Web Development)

If you can design, write articles, edit videos, or build simple websites, there’s demand both in Nigeria and abroad.

Where to find gigs:

• Upwork.com
  
• Fiverr.com
  
• Diglancers.com (Africa-based)
  
• Local WhatsApp business groups
  

Tips:

• Create 3–5 sample works
  
• Offer to manage one gig free or discounted to build reviews
  
• Start with small, quick projects and scale
  

3. Virtual Assistant (VA) Services

As a VA, you help clients handle day-to-day tasks like inbox management, social media replies, bookings, or document formatting. The best part? It’s fully remote and usually flexible with time.

Skills needed:

• Email etiquette
  
• Basic spreadsheet or Google Docs knowledge
  
• Time management
  

Where to get jobs:

• LinkedIn
  
• Remotasks
  
• Zirtual
  
• Upwork/Fiverr (create a service offering)
  

4. Online and Home Tutoring

If you’re strong in Math, English, Sciences, or even basic computer use, you can earn from it. Whether online (Zoom, WhatsApp) or in your host community, tutoring is always in demand.

What to teach:

• JSS/SSS subjects
  
• WAEC/UTME prep
  
• Primary level classes
  
• Computer literacy
  

Start with:

• A simple flyer and a WhatsApp group
  
• Word of mouth at your PPA
  
• Edu-focused platforms (Tuteria)
  

5. Importation and Reselling

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You don’t need N200k to start a mini-importation business. Many corps members purchase earrings, skincare products, bags, or gadgets from platforms like 1688 or Alibaba, then resell them on WhatsApp, Instagram, or CDS on designated days.

What works well:

• Accessories
• Home appliances 
• Thrift fashion
• Korean skincare/perfumes

Pro tip: Start small, post consistently, and reinvest profits.

6. Photography / Videography

If you’re handy with your smartphone or digital camera this side hustle can pay you more than you think, especially if you go beyond just “taking pictures” and offer content-based storytelling.

People are now paying to be followed around, especially at birthdays, hangouts,  and, just to get aesthetic recap videos for their Instagram, TikTok, or Reels.

You don’t need a studio. You just need your IPhone, good angles, clean editing, and a bit of creativity.

Tools to use:  Snapseed, VN Editor, CapCut, InShot

Pro Tip:
This is more than photography, this is mobile content creation. People will pay to have their everyday moments captured and turned into short, viral-worthy videos. Learn editing, transitions, and color grading, and you can charge N10k–N50k per event without carrying a single camera.

This is especially hot on Instagram and TikTok right now, where everyone wants cinematic Reels or vlogs for memories and brand image.

How to Start Today

1. Pick just ONE hustle to start with
   You can expand later, but avoid starting too many at once.
   
2. Build a simple portfolio or flier
   One PDF with samples, or a few highlights on your Instagram/WhatsApp story
   
3. Promote it consistently
   Post every week. Offer free trials or discounts. Let people know what you do.
   
4. Keep learning & upgrading your skills
   Watch YouTube tutorials. Take free courses on platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, or Digify Africa.
   

NYSC is more than “serving your country.” It’s your test drive for real life.

It’s the perfect time to try things, fail fast, and grow.
No pressure. Just progress.

Don’t wait for POP to figure out your money moves.
Start now, even if it’s N5k a week. That N5k becomes N20k, N50k, N100k.

The earlier you start showing up for yourself, the earlier life starts showing up for you.

…minister assures corps members of payment of N77,000 allowance soon

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has announced that the federal government will mandate all government agencies and parastatals to accept corps members posted to them for their mandatory one-year national service.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Olawande revealed that the ministry would send a memo to President Bola Tinubu to formalize this directive. 

He noted that a memo had already been sent to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), instructing that there should be no barriers to the posting of corps members.

The minister addressed concerns about the rejection of corps members by some agencies and reiterated the government’s stance against such practices. 

This move follows the federal government’s recent decision to lift the ban on posting corps members to private sector organizations, including banks and oil and gas companies.

The policy change, announced on November 19, 2024, took effect with the Batch C, Stream 1 orientation exercise, scheduled to commence on Wednesday.

He said: “Let them post them first, then we would tackle the rejection. In part of the memo that we sent to the NYSC, we clearly stated that there is no barrier.

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“Before now, there was a barrier that corps members could not be posted to this and that. Banks come and take them. If you don’t have experience in banking, how do you want to know that you are good at accounting or whatever? We should stop lying to ourselves. And this is also part of how you should learn whatever you studied.

“Very soon we are also going to send a memo to the President to tell any government parastatal and agency not to reject anymore. It is a process; we can’t do everything at once. The one in our capacity, we have thrown it out. So, on the barrier, we are also waiting, I know about that too. We will work, and that is why teamwork is good.”

Addressing the delay in the payment of the N77,000 increased allowance to serving corps members, the minister said the implementation was in process, and that the corpers would begin to receive the allowances “very soon.”

He added: “It is a process. When the government increases so and so, it will follow a process. We are in the process, very soon they will see it. It is not rocket science. It has been increased; nobody is saying it has not been increased. But the implementation is in process. And very soon, we are at the tip of it, it is going to start, and we will implement it perfectly.”

Prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and camp officials for this year’s orientation will undergo COVID-19 test, the corps has said.

The decision is based on the advice of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

NYSC’s Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, announced this during the 2024 pre-orientation course/workshop yesterday in Abuja. Ahmed said the advice from the NCDC was necessitated by the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent it from resurfacing in Nigeria.

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He said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised that COVID-19 testing should recommence in the orientation camps. This is a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.

 “Therefore, it becomes necessary to ensure regular surveillance in all our orientation camps. While the testing will not be made compulsory this time, corps members will be sensitised on the need to confirm their health status. The modalities for this will be communicated in due course.”