NYSC’s Untold Impact: Lessons from Seyi Vodi & Chiboy

Renowned fashion entrepreneur Seyi Adekunle, better known as Seyi Vodi, recently celebrated his 50th birthday in grand style. The milestone event was held at the prestigious Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and attracted an impressive lineup of dignitaries, including former Liberian President and Africa’s only Ballon d’Or recipient, George Weah.

Reflecting on his journey, one is reminded of the wisdom in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: “When a child washes his hands, he can dine with kings.” Though no longer a child at 50, Seyi Vodi’s story is a powerful reminder that success is born of persistence and vision. His rise wasn’t sudden—he nurtured his dream with patience and resilience, even when the odds seemed against him.

Today, Seyi Vodi is not just a name but a movement. Through innovation and excellence, he has transformed the face of tailoring in Nigeria, elevating it from a trade to an art form and building a brand that resonates far beyond fashion.

Whenever I see Seyi Vodi with a measuring tape draped around his neck—much like a doctor wears a stethoscope—I see more than just a fashion designer; I see a man deeply committed to his craft. That simple gesture reflects his professionalism and pride in a skill he has mastered through years of dedication.

In an earlier piece I wrote for Daily Trust, I explored how Seyi Vodi’s story mirrors the core message of Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami’s book, “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees”. His path serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through hands-on learning and perseverance. Vodi didn’t attend fashion school; he picked up tailoring from friends during his National Youth Service in Akwa Ibom State. From that humble beginning, he has built a fashion empire—one stitch at a time.

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I won’t revisit what I’ve already written elsewhere, but what truly matters here is the deeper message behind Seyi Vodi’s journey—one that offers valuable insight for all of us.

In recent times, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has faced growing criticism, with many questioning its relevance. Some believe the program has outlived its usefulness, arguing that the post-war unity it was meant to promote feels like a forgotten ideal.

But let’s pause and consider: what if the NYSC had never existed? Or what if Seyi Vodi, upon receiving his posting to Akwa Ibom, had opted—like many others do—to seek a redeployment back to Lagos or Abuja? He may never have encountered the friends who introduced him to tailoring. That single choice—to stay, to serve—set in motion a journey that would eventually lead to the creation of the Vodi brand.

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Life-changing opportunities don’t always come in boardrooms or arrive dressed in formal wear. Sometimes, they appear as friendships, challenges, or unexpected lessons in unfamiliar corners of the country. Seyi Vodi recognized one such moment—and from it, he built a thriving fashion empire.

And he’s not the only one with a story like that.

Take, for instance, a young entrepreneur from Anambra who was posted to Sokoto for his NYSC. Like many others, he initially planned to apply for redeployment. But destiny had other ideas.

While walking through a local market, the rich aroma of kilishi—spiced, sun-dried meat—caught his attention. Fascinated by the preparation process, he approached the vendors to learn more. There was a catch, though: they spoke only Hausa, and he didn’t understand a word. Still, with patience, smiles, hand gestures, and mutual curiosity, they found a way to connect.

Under the blazing Sokoto sun, he spent weeks learning the craft—making mistakes, asking questions, and forging bonds that transcended language. That journey not only broadened his worldview but also sparked a business idea. Today, that once-reluctant corps member, now widely known as Chiboy, runs Jerky Delight Foods, one of Lagos’ fastest-growing kilishi brands.

There’s another important takeaway here: the value of meaningful relationships. I once came across a line in a motivational book that stuck with me—“The friends you keep can either lift you or limit you.” Few truths are more evident than that.

During his NYSC, Seyi Vodi didn’t just make casual acquaintances—he connected with people who handed him a skill that changed the course of his life. Likewise, the kilishi vendors in Sokoto may not have shared a language with Chiboy, but they offered him something far greater: a chance to learn, grow, and build trust from scratch.

For young people, this is a powerful reminder to be deliberate about the circles we choose. Not every friend will teach you how to sew or season beef, but real friends challenge you to grow, help you find direction, and bring you closer to purpose. Had Seyi Vodi surrounded himself with the wrong influences—or had Chiboy walked past that kilishi stall without curiosity—their stories might never have been told.

This is also why calls to scrap the NYSC scheme deserve thoughtful reflection. No doubt, the program has its flaws. Rising insecurity, especially incidents of kidnapping and attacks on corps members, is a serious concern that cannot be ignored.

But abandoning the scheme altogether would be short-sighted. Rather than discarding it, we should focus on reforming and strengthening it. When properly managed, NYSC creates powerful outcomes—promoting national cohesion, opening up career paths, and offering young Nigerians transformative exposure to cultures and communities beyond their own.

The journeys of Seyi Vodi and Chiboy stand as powerful reminders that what some dismiss as a detour or waste of time can, in fact, be the very launchpad for success—if we’re willing to see the potential hidden in everyday moments.