The federal government has unveiled a major reform blueprint aimed at transforming the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a digitally efficient, financially sustainable, and skills-driven institution that aligns with Nigeria’s evolving manpower needs.D
uring a stakeholders’ consultative forum held Monday in Abuja, Hadiza Bala-Usman, special adviser to the president on policy and coordination, said the NYSC can no longer operate on structures designed over 50 years ago. The meeting was convened to validate the recommendations of the NYSC reform committee.
“For over five decades, the NYSC has symbolised unity, civic responsibility and national integration. Yet, as with all human institutions, relevance requires reinvention,” she said, noting that the scheme’s current analogue, centralised, and overstretched framework cannot support future demands.
Bala-Usman disclosed that a diagnostic review revealed legal, fiscal, operational, and digital gaps slowing the scheme’s efficiency. She added that state contributions to NYSC funding remain weak, and existing skills development programmes are not aligned with market realities.
Key Issues Identified
Major Reform Proposals
According to her, the committee is proposing:
- New co-funding arrangements involving federal, state, and local governments
- Legislative amendments to allow digital service processes and gender-responsive deployment
- A unified digital service platform
- Stronger employer obligations
- A three-tier governance structure
- Zonal innovation hubs for improved skills development
- A ₦2 billion innovation fund to support implementation
The reform is planned for phased execution between 2026 and 2028, starting with legislative changes and digital pilots in 2026, followed by a sector-aligned deployment model nationwide by 2028.
Youth Ministry, NYSC DG Back Reforms
Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, said the reforms aim to equip corps members for employment and entrepreneurship, reducing reliance on government jobs.
“Let us make NYSC productive so that after one year, corps members will not just come out looking for government jobs but can become employers of labour,” he said.
NYSC DG Olakunle Nafiu noted that while the scheme has evolved since 1973, continuous reform is necessary, especially as annual mobilisation has grown from just over 2,000 corps members to almost 400,000.
Digital Skills as Economic Driver
Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said enhanced digital training through NYSC could position Nigeria’s youth for remote global job opportunities.
He projected that two million Nigerians working remotely could generate over $100 billion annually, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s drive toward a trillion-dollar economy.
No Comments