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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first holistic review of the Scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the development on Monday, describing the approval as a significant milestone in repositioning the NYSC to meet the realities of a rapidly evolving economy.
According to the minister, the reforms are designed to preserve the Scheme’s legacy of promoting national unity while transforming it into a platform that equips young Nigerians with relevant skills, practical experience and career opportunities.
He said the overhaul aligns with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its vision of building a $1 trillion economy through youth empowerment, innovation and productivity.
Among the key reforms approved by the Council are the introduction of a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to enhance the safety of corps members, and a redesigned six-week orientation programme with greater emphasis on leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career pathways.
The reforms also provide for skills-based primary assignments that align with corps members’ academic qualifications and career aspirations, a modern governance structure featuring civilian operational leadership while retaining military support for security, and improved orientation camp standards through a national grading and certification system.
In addition, the traditional Passing Out Parade will be replaced with a graduation ceremony, while the NYSC uniform will be redesigned to reflect professionalism and strengthen national identity.
Olawande disclosed that the reform process commenced in 2025 following an extensive multi-stakeholder review 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.
He added that the Federal Executive Council has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and its regulations to provide the necessary legal framework for implementing the reforms.
The minister described the approval as a bold step towards repositioning the NYSC as a modern, skills-driven and youth-focused institution capable of preparing Nigerian graduates for national service and global competitiveness.
