At the recently held Oyokopa Business and Career Conference, themed “The Future of Work & Business: Adapting to a Changing Landscape”, the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development delivered an inspiring keynote address to corps members and participants at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Addressing the audience, the Chairman commended the NYSC corps members for their resilience, service, and dedication to national development.
He described them as Nigeria’s emerging leaders and emphasized that their service year was far more than just the wearing of khaki or participation in community development service (CDS). According to him, it is a critical launchpad for their careers and entrepreneurial journeys.
He pointed out that the world of work is rapidly evolving, and with it must come a change in mindset. Today’s graduates, he noted, are no longer just employees-in-waiting but are expected to be problem solvers, innovators, and builders of the national economy.
The Chairman urged corps members to realize the importance of how they show up during their service year—highlighting that traits such as discipline, initiative, and adaptability are now more crucial than just having a certificate. “Employers,” he said, “are not hiring degrees anymore—they’re hiring attitude, creativity, and the capacity to evolve.”
Beyond employability, he challenged the young audience to think like creators and not just job seekers.
He encouraged them to see the NYSC year as an opportunity to birth business ideas, initiate partnerships, and grow networks.
He stressed that starting small shouldn’t be underestimated, and that value creation begins with leveraging what they already know, rather than waiting for large capital.
Speaking on the role of his agency, the Chairman reaffirmed the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development’s commitment to providing platforms that promote youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill acquisition.
He emphasized that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the active solution bearers of today.
He encouraged the corps members to use their service year wisely—by learning new skills, volunteering, networking, growing a digital presence, and taking the bold step to start something meaningful, even if it fails. “Every great journey,” he noted, “begins with a decision to try.”
In conclusion, he reminded the audience that as they adapt to the ever-changing landscape of work and business, they must carry with them the core values of service—integrity, diligence, and patriotism.
He described corps members as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s workforce and a vital engine of the nation’s economic transformation.
The event was part of a broader initiative to empower young people in Oyo State with the mindset and tools needed to thrive in the future of work.
