The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a far-reaching restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps, paving the way for the most extensive reforms of the scheme since its establishment more than five decades ago.
The decisions were reached during Monday’s FEC meeting in Abuja as part of the Federal Government’s plan to reposition the NYSC into a modern institution focused on skills development, productivity and youth empowerment in line with its broader economic objectives.
One of the major changes approved by the council is a new leadership structure that will place the day-to-day administration of the scheme under a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country.
To facilitate the reforms, the council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the necessary legal framework for implementation.
Announcing the development on his X account, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its creation 53 years ago.
He said, “We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.”
According to the minister, the reforms are designed to reposition the NYSC as “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”
Highlighting the scope of the changes, Olawande explained that the approved package includes “a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams, skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways, modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support, improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”
He disclosed that work on the reform agenda began in 2025 through 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 final approval from the Federal Executive Council.
Olawande added, “This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever.”
Established in 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to foster national integration by deploying graduates to states outside their places of origin for one year of compulsory national service.
The newly approved reforms represent the most comprehensive overhaul of the scheme since its inception, with the Federal Government saying the changes are intended to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve service delivery and make the NYSC more responsive to the country’s current economic and developmental priorities.
(Ripples)