{"id":1287628,"date":"2026-11-01T14:56:15","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T14:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1287628\/"},"modified":"2026-11-01T14:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T14:56:15","slug":"seyi-vodi-i-started-business-with-n3600-nysc-allowance-daily-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1287628\/","title":{"rendered":"Seyi Vodi: I Started Business With N3,600 NYSC Allowance \u2013 Daily Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nigerian fashion designer and founder of Vodi Group, Seyi Vodi, has recounted how he started his entrepreneurial journey with his N3,600 monthly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He urged beneficiaries of a multi-billion-naira empowerment programme in Kwara State to embrace discipline, patience and prudent financial management.<\/p>\n

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Vodi spoke during the unveiling of a N4.2bn empowerment package by former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki-Gambari, in Ilorin.<\/p>\n


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The intervention comprised N1bn in cash and about N3.2bn worth of equipment and other items.<\/p>\n

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It also includes 150 vehicles and modern sewing machines presented as support for residents to improve their livelihoods and establish sustainable businesses.<\/p>\n

Seriki, who is the Managing Director of Kursi Investments Limited, Abuja, also declared that the initiative was intended to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the event, Vodi said he began trading while serving as a corps member.<\/p>\n

He said he used his modest monthly allowance to identify business opportunities and gradually build an enterprise.<\/p>\n

He recalled travelling to Aba market in Abia State to purchase men\u2019s boxers, which he subsequently resold to fellow corps members at a profit.<\/p>\n

According to him, the experience taught him the importance of identifying opportunities, starting small and reinvesting available resources rather than waiting for substantial capital.<\/p>\n

Vodi said his journey to business success was neither immediate nor effortless.<\/p>\n

He noted that it took more than 26 years of hard work, discipline and gradual expansion to build his business to its present level.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor my business, we grew step by step. It took me almost 26 years and more to get here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He cautioned beneficiaries against diverting empowerment funds and equipment to luxury consumption, particularly expensive phones and other items that would not contribute to their economic growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to be prudent. You need money to scale up your business. A beneficiary who receives an industrial machine can multiply it in the coming years if they are prudent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The fashion entrepreneur also advocated skills-based empowerment.<\/p>\n

He argued that providing beneficiaries with vocational tools and equipment could deliver more sustainable results than distributing cash without assessing their needs and business capacities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best form of grant is empowerment through skill acquisition tools. You don\u2019t just give people grants or empowerment without first doing due diligence. You don\u2019t pluck money from a tree. Money doesn\u2019t come easily,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Also speaking, human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, urged beneficiaries to embrace patience, discipline and delayed gratification.<\/p>\n

He warned that careless spending could undermine the objectives of the intervention.<\/p>\n

He specifically cautioned against using funds meant for business development to acquire expensive phones and other luxury items.<\/p>\n

Earlier, Seriki said the empowerment programme was motivated by his desire to give back to society and create opportunities for people to improve their economic circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this empowerment is to help people progress in their own way. All I am doing is giving back to the society that brought me this far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that people who had attained financial success should use their resources to improve the lives of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen God blesses you and you have enough, failing to make other people smile means you are poor in spirit. Making other people happy is something I strongly believe in and enjoy doing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mustapha said the intervention was not the first time Seriki had undertaken a major programme to support residents.<\/p>\n

He expressed hope that the gesture would not be his last.<\/p>\n

The senator also challenged his opponents to identify verifiable contributions to infrastructure and human capital development made before assuming public office.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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