FG Approves Major NYSC Reforms After 53 Years

NYSC MEMBERS

FG Approves Major NYSC Reforms After 53 Years

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a far-reaching reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first comprehensive restructuring of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.

The reforms, approved during Monday's FEC meeting in Abuja, are designed to transform the NYSC into a modern, skills-driven and productivity-oriented institution that supports the Federal Government's economic development agenda.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of civilian leadership for the NYSC. While the scheme will now be headed by a civilian, the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country.

To facilitate the implementation of the reforms, the FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the necessary legal framework.

Announcing the development on X, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the approval as the first holistic review of the NYSC in its 53-year history.

According to him, the reforms are intended to transform the scheme into a platform that not only promotes national unity but also equips young Nigerians with practical skills, relevant experience and opportunities needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving world.

The minister explained that the revamped NYSC aligns with President Bola Tinubu's vision of building a $1 trillion economy by creating a more skills-focused, youth-empowering and productivity-driven institution.

Among the approved reforms are a technology-driven mobilisation process, risk-sensitive deployment to improve the safety of corps members, and an expanded six-week orientation programme with greater emphasis on leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career pathways.

Other key changes include skills-based primary assignments that match corps members' academic qualifications and career aspirations, a modern governance structure featuring civilian operational leadership with continued military security support, improved orientation camp facilities through a national grading and certification system, the replacement of the traditional Passing-Out Parade with a formal graduation ceremony, and the introduction of a redesigned NYSC uniform to promote professionalism and national pride.

Olawande revealed that the reform process commenced in 2025 through extensive consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination before receiving FEC approval.

He described the initiative as more than just an institutional reform, saying it represents a strategic investment in Nigeria's youth and positions the NYSC to become more relevant, impactful and responsive to the country's evolving economic and development priorities.

Established after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national integration, the NYSC has, for over five decades, deployed graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of mandatory national service. The newly approved reforms represent the most significant transformation in the history of the scheme and are expected to better prepare Nigerian youths for the demands of a modern economy.