The Federal Government has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first comprehensive restructuring of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.
The approval was granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting in Abuja on Monday as part of efforts to transform the NYSC into a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution that supports the government’s economic development agenda.
A major highlight of the reform is the replacement of military operational leadership with a civilian-led structure. While the military will no longer head the scheme, it will continue to provide security for corps members across the country.
To facilitate the implementation of the reforms, the FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the necessary legal backing.
Announcing the decision on X, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as the first holistic review of the NYSC since its creation in 1973.
According to him, the reforms are designed to transform the scheme into a platform that not only promotes national unity but also equips young Nigerians with practical skills, work experience and opportunities needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.
He explained that the revamped NYSC will align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by focusing on skills acquisition, productivity and youth empowerment.
The approved reforms include a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to improve the safety of corps members, and a redesigned six-week orientation programme with greater emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career development.
Other changes include skills-based primary assignments that match graduates’ academic backgrounds and career paths, improved camp facilities through a national grading and certification system, a new graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform aimed at reflecting professionalism and national pride.
Olawande said the reform process began in 2025 through consultations 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 before receiving FEC approval.
He described the initiative as a significant investment in Nigeria’s youth, adding that the reforms will make the NYSC more relevant, impactful and better positioned to meet the country’s current economic and development needs.
Established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to foster national unity by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of compulsory national service. The latest reforms represent the most significant changes to the scheme since its inception.
