After NYSC, Nigerian graduate weighs work, entrepreneurship and uncertainty

Completing the National Youth Service Corps programme has left Nigerian graduate Ifeanyi Favour Ogochukwu considering the uncertainty and possibilities that follow national service. Writing about her experience, Ogochukwu said graduation had brought relief and accomplishment, but did not necessarily mark the start of professional life. For many young graduates, she wrote, NYSC represents another major transition before the uncertainty of employment and adulthood begins.

She was deployed to Nasarawa State, a place she had not previously visited and where she had not expected to spend her service year. Although she initially felt disappointed, the three-week orientation camp introduced her to new people and unfamiliar surroundings. The camp included early-morning drills, lectures and Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development sessions.

Ogochukwu said she reconnected with old schoolmates, formed new friendships and learned resilience, patience and adaptability. She later returned to the Federal Capital Territory for the remainder of her service. Her Place of Primary Assignment was Image Merchants Promotions Limited, publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential.

She described the organisation as welcoming and said chief executive Yushau Shuaib and other staff guided corps members and gave them opportunities to learn. The workplace, she wrote, helped her understand the discipline behind effective communication and the importance of consistency, responsibility and willingness to learn. She also said a supportive workplace culture could strengthen a young person’s confidence.

As her service year approached its end, Ogochukwu said she was still asking what would come next. She hopes to find work that will allow her to earn, gain experience and save towards building a personal brand. She also wants to create jobs eventually, but recognises that entrepreneurship requires capital, networks, knowledge and resilience.

She said she was not ready to make major decisions about marriage simply because of social expectations. For now, she hopes for meaningful work, peace, growth and the courage to continue becoming the person she wants to be.