The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a wide-ranging reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing a six-week orientation programme.
The reforms, described as the most comprehensive review of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973, were approved at Monday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Ayodele Olawande, the minister of youth development said the one-year national service duration would remain unchanged, but the scheme would now place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, digital innovation and employability.
According to him, the reforms were developed after extensive consultations involving the ministries of youth development and education, as well as the office of the special adviser to the president on policy coordination.
“The approved reforms will reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy,” Olawande said.
He explained that the orientation programme would now last six weeks and feature intensive training in leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career pathways.
Other approved changes include a technology-driven call-up process, skills-based primary assignments linked to corps members’ academic qualifications and career goals, as well as a risk-sensitive deployment system designed to improve security.
The minister also disclosed that the NYSC would transition to a civilian operational leadership structure, while the military would continue providing security support during orientation camps and other official activities.
In addition, the government approved a redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride, improved camp facilities through a national grading and certification system, and the replacement of the traditional passing-out parade with a graduation ceremony.
Also speaking, Hadiza Bala-Usman, the special adviser to the president on policy coordination, said specialised groups, including a proposed digital corps, may undergo additional professional training and certification before deployment to improve their employability and opportunities for self-employment.
To facilitate the implementation of the reforms, the FEC directed Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice to work with the ministry of youth development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations.