President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said his administration’s recently approved reforms to the National Youth Service Corps are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and prepare them for national development.
Tinubu said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, are part of his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
In a statement posted on his X account, the president said the changes represent the most significant overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973,” Tinubu said.
He said the reforms fulfilled a promise he made at his inauguration to prioritise young people and women in his administration.
Tinubu said the NYSC had played a key role in promoting national unity for more than five decades but noted that current realities require a broader focus.
“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,” he said.
According to the president, the orientation programme will be extended to six weeks and will include training in civic responsibility, leadership, values, career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial literacy and specialised courses tailored to corps members’ academic backgrounds and career interests.
He said corps members will also receive training in agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and paramilitary and security services.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” Tinubu said.
The president also said the reforms would improve the safety of corps members through a risk-based deployment system, particularly for states facing security challenges.
Under the new arrangement, deployment will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions in affected states and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.
Tinubu said the call-up process would become technology-driven, while primary assignments would be aligned with each corps member’s skills, academic background and career aspirations.
He also announced changes to the governance structure of the scheme, saying the NYSC would be headed by a civilian director-general, supported by three executive directors, including a military or paramilitary officer serving as executive director for security services.
The president said orientation camps would be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, with states required to meet minimum operational standards.
He added that the Passing-Out Parade would be renamed a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the enhanced training corps members would receive.
Tinubu commended Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, 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,” Tinubu said.
