President Bola Tinubu has announced sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve their employability and strengthen their contribution to national development.
The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, also include extending the orientation course from three to six weeks, introducing technology-driven deployment and restructuring the scheme’s leadership.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, the President said the reforms represent the most significant overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973 and fulfil his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people. He noted that while the scheme had played a vital role in promoting national unity for over five decades, evolving national realities demanded a broader focus on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and career readiness.
Tinubu said the expanded six-week orientation programme would cover civic responsibility, leadership, values, entrepreneurship, digital and financial literacy, as well as specialised training tailored to corps members’ academic qualifications and career aspirations.
According to him, participants will receive sector-specific training in agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, the creative economy, enterprise, and paramilitary and security services.
The President also announced measures aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of the scheme. He explained that deployment would adopt a risk-based approach, especially for security-challenged states, with priority given to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions in affected states and neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone. He added that the call-up process would become technology-driven, while primary assignments would be aligned with corps members’ skills, academic backgrounds and career paths.
As part of the reforms, Tinubu disclosed that the NYSC would now be headed by a civilian Director-General, assisted by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or a paramilitary organisation. He further stated that orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, with states required to meet minimum operational standards. The traditional Passing-Out Parade will also be renamed a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the enhanced training corps members would receive.
The President commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their roles in developing the initiative. He directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms, while assuring young Nigerians that his administration remains committed to investing in their future.
