The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the most extensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since its establishment in 1973, introducing a redesigned uniform, civilian operational leadership and a raft of measures aimed at transforming the scheme into a skills-driven institution.
The reforms were approved during Monday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Announcing the development, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the package as the first holistic review of the NYSC in its 53-year history, saying it is designed to align the scheme with Nigeria’s economic realities and workforce needs.
A major highlight of the reform is the introduction of a redesigned NYSC uniform intended to reflect professionalism, national pride and the evolving identity of the scheme.
The Federal Government also approved a new governance structure that places the operational leadership of the NYSC under civilian management, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members during orientation and service.
According to Olawande, the reforms will reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that supports President Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Other approved changes include a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment of corps members, and a revamped six-week orientation programme with stronger 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, improved camp facilities through a national grading and certification system, and the replacement of the traditional Passing Out Parade with a formal graduation ceremony.
“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,” Olawande said.
He explained that the reform process began in 2025 through extensive consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and young Nigerians across the country.
The minister added that the reforms represent a strategic investment in the nation’s youth population.
“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,” he said.
To facilitate implementation, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the legal framework for the approved reforms.
Established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to foster national integration and unity by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin for a mandatory one-year national service.
The latest reforms are expected to modernise the scheme and better prepare Nigerian graduates for the demands of a rapidly changing economy.