By Peace Udugba
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first holistic review of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the approval on Monday after the council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing the reform as a major step towards aligning the NYSC with Nigeria’s current realities and development priorities.
Olawande said that while the NYSC has successfully promoted national unity by bringing together young Nigerians from diverse backgrounds for over five decades, evolving national needs have made the reforms necessary.
“Our needs as a country have changed, and many expect the objectives of the NYSC to also change,” the minister said.
According to him, the approved reforms include the introduction of a redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride, as well as a new graduation ceremony that will replace the traditional Passing Out Parade.
Other key changes include a fully technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment of corps members to enhance their safety, and a revamped six-week orientation programme with greater emphasis on leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and specialised career streams.
The reforms also provide for skills-based primary assignments tailored to corps members’ academic backgrounds, the introduction of a national grading and certification system to improve orientation camp standards, and a modern governance structure that will place civilian leadership in charge of operations while retaining military support for security.
Olawande disclosed that the extensive review process began in 2025 and involved multiple stakeholders. He said the reforms are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution that supports President Bola Tinubu’s economic development agenda.
“For over five decades, the NYSC has remained a powerful symbol of national unity and service. Today, we have taken a bold step to preserve that legacy while preparing it for the future,” he said.
To give legal backing to the reforms, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to immediately begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and its relevant regulations.
A suitable headline alternative is: “FEC Approves Sweeping NYSC Reforms, Orders Amendment of Act.”
The major highlights of the FEC-approved NYSC reforms are:
First comprehensive review in 53 years since the NYSC was established in 1973.
Redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride.
New graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade (POP).
Technology-driven call-up process to improve efficiency and transparency.
Risk-sensitive deployment of corps members to enhance their safety.
Revamped six-week orientation camp with greater focus on:
Leadership development
Entrepreneurship
Digital skills
Specialized career streams
Skills-based primary assignments aligned with corps members’ academic backgrounds.
National grading and certification system to improve orientation camp standards.
Modern governance structure, with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support.
Transformation of the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused institution aligned with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
Legal amendments to the NYSC Act and its regulations to implement the approved reforms.
