The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has announced. The change is part of a broader reform approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to reposition the 53-year-old scheme for skills development, employment, and national growth.
Promoting Nigerian Culture and Local Industry
Speaking on Channels Television's "The Morning Brief" on Thursday, Mr Olawande said the move aims to promote Nigerian culture and support indigenous textile producers. "It's Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have a textile industry. Let's put our money back into the country," he stated.
Deployment Based on Region of Study
The minister also disclosed a proposed policy to deploy corps members to regions where they completed their studies, particularly in areas facing security challenges. This, he said, would allay fears of parents and corps members while ensuring efficient deployment. "If we have a particular area that is having insecurity, instead of probably forcing people or parents to start talking, we must also give them an opportunity that 'okay, who are those in that area, who are schooled in that area, who know much about that area?'" he explained.
He added that those interested in serving outside their region could still do so voluntarily, but the new approach would reduce the need for redeployment and camp-related issues. "If you have interest that you want to go to the North-East why not, but if you don't have interest, instead of redeploying you, paying people for camp, doing all those funny things, we said no, let us look at it and say who are those in that area, that can reside in those geographical areas and still give us the kind of number we are looking for since we are saying NYSC should be more impactful," Mr Olawande said.
Posting Aligned with Academic Discipline
Mr Olawande further stated that corps members would be posted to roles matching their academic disciplines and professional training. He dismissed reports that the reforms would remove military personnel from the NYSC, calling such claims untrue. "We are not taking the military out of NYSC, it's just a misconception and the way we read some of the things that were put out, and that is the aspect that we need to start making research before reacting. The military is not taken away; there is no way you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation," he said.
Comprehensive Overhaul for Development
The FEC-approved overhaul aims to transform the NYSC from a mobilisation-focused scheme into a platform for skills development, employment, and national growth. The reforms are designed to align the corps with Nigeria's current development priorities, ensuring a more impactful and efficient service year for all participants.
