Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has urged the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to integrate skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programs into its curriculum.

Speaking at the NDA’s 22nd Convocation Lecture in Kaduna, titled “NYSC and Skills Acquisition for Youth Development in Nigeria: A Panacea to National Security,” Ahmed emphasized the importance of this initiative for enhancing youth employability and contributing to national security.

Ahmed highlighted the NDA’s extensive land resources, suggesting they be utilized for agricultural production, which would not only promote sustainable land use but also equip cadets with practical agricultural skills. He also recommended that the NDA’s Post-Graduate School introduce skill acquisition programs to complement academic studies, thereby enhancing students’ self-reliance and employability.

The Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, welcomed Ahmed’s insights, recognizing the lecture as a valuable reminder of the need for skills beyond traditional university education. He encouraged cadets to pursue skill acquisition in areas aligned with their talents to become more useful to themselves and the nation, ultimately contributing to economic development.