The Nigerian government on Monday approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps scheme aimed at repositioning it for national development and modern workforce demands.
The approval was made at the Executive Council of the Federation meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, while briefing State House correspondents after the council meeting, said the reform followed a full review process that began in 2025, involving key federal ministries and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders worked together to develop the reform framework.
The NYSC was established in 1973 after the Civil War to promote national unity, has served Nigeria for 53 years but now requires restructuring to meet current socio-economic realities.
According to him, the review identified key challenges, including outdated laws, weak linkages between education and employment, and concerns over the safety and welfare of corps members.
He said the reform seeks to reposition the scheme from a mobilisation-focused programme into a platform for skills development, job creation, productivity and national growth.
The Minister added that the approved reforms include a fully digital call-up system, safer deployment of corps members, and stronger security arrangements.
He also disclosed a new six-week orientation programme that combines career preparation with specialised training aligned to graduates’ fields of study.
Olawande said the new structure will feature a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, as well as a dedicated security directorate to be headed by a military or paramilitary officer.
He added that state governments will play a stronger role in providing standardised orientation camp facilities nationwide.
The passing-out parade will also be redesigned and renamed as a graduation ceremony, while a modernised NYSC uniform reflecting professionalism will be introduced.
Providing further clarification, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the reform process began with a committee set up in 2025 to carry out a comprehensive review of the scheme.
She said the committee’s work involved collaboration between the Youth Ministry, Education Ministry, and the Presidency to address long-standing structural challenges in the NYSC system.
Hadiza Bala Usman noted that the reforms are designed to make the NYSC more relevant to today’s Nigeria and better aligned with national development priorities.
The Council also approved directives for the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin amendments to the NYSC Act and related regulations.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
