PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has explained why his administration approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve national service and prepare corps members to contribute more effectively to national development.
News Point Nigeria reports that the President said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, represent the most significant overhaul of the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973 and form part of his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, stressing that the reforms fulfilled a key promise he made upon assuming office.
“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.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that although the NYSC had successfully promoted national unity for more than five decades, evolving national realities now require the scheme to play a broader role in preparing young Nigerians for the future.
“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.
Tinubu announced that the orientation programme would now last six weeks, with a curriculum focused on civic responsibility, leadership, values, career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial literacy and specialised training tailored to participants’ academic qualifications and career aspirations.
According to him, corps members will receive training in agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, as well as para-military and security services.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.
The President further disclosed that the reforms would improve the safety of corps members through a risk-based deployment model, particularly in security-challenged states.
He explained that deployment would prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in affected states and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zones.
“The call-up process will become technology-driven and primary assignments will be better aligned with each corps member’s skills, academic background and career stream,” he added.
On the administration of the scheme, Tinubu said the NYSC would now be headed 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 also disclosed that orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, while state governments would be required to meet minimum operational standards.
“The Passing-Out Parade will become a Graduation Ceremony because our corps members will no longer merely complete service. They will graduate as trained civic and professional contributors to national development,” he said.
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 roles in developing the initiative.
He further directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and its subsidiary regulations to provide the reforms with the necessary legal backing.
“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.