President Bola Tinubu has explained that the recent reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills, enhancing their employability and preparing them to contribute more effectively to national development.
In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, Tinubu said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, represent the most significant overhaul of the scheme since its establishment in 1973 and fulfil his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
“On the day I was sworn in as your President, I promised to create meaningful opportunities for our young people. I said women and youth would feature prominently in our administration, and this reform is partly the actualisation of that promise,” he said.
The President noted that while the NYSC had promoted national unity for more than five decades, the country’s changing realities required a more modern and skills-focused approach.
“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed—they are the engine,” he said.
Under the reforms, the orientation programme will be extended to six weeks and will include training in civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital and financial literacy, as well as specialised instruction based on corps members’ academic backgrounds and career aspirations.
Tinubu said participants would receive training in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and para-military and security services.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.
The President also announced new measures to improve the safety of corps members through risk-based deployment, particularly in security-challenged states. Under the new policy, deployment will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within affected states and those from neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.
He added that the call-up process would become fully technology-driven, while primary assignments would be better matched with each corps member’s qualifications, skills and career path.
As part of the governance reforms, Tinubu said the NYSC would be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or a paramilitary agency.
He further disclosed that orientation camps would be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, with states required to meet minimum operational standards.
According to the President, the scheme’s Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the enhanced training corps members will receive.
Tinubu 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 contributions.
He also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and its subsidiary regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future,” the President said.
