- She explained that the government also considered how to align corps members’ academic backgrounds
- the changes are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a youth development institution
- She also announced a redesigned six-week orientation programme
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major restructuring of the scheme since it was established more than five decades ago.
As part of the decision, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and its operational regulations to accommodate the approved changes and facilitate their implementation, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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One of the key reforms is the transition to civilian operational leadership for the scheme, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members nationwide.
The Federal Government said the changes are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a youth development institution focused on skills acquisition, productivity and entrepreneurship, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the reform is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital and better prepare graduates for the country’s evolving workforce needs.
According to her, the review covers every major aspect of the scheme, including registration procedures, deployment methods, security considerations, and the structure of the orientation programme.
She explained that the government also considered how to align corps members’ academic backgrounds, interests and skills with sectors that can contribute meaningfully to national development.
As part of the overhaul, corps members will now be grouped into 11 specialised streams, allowing them to receive targeted training based on their chosen career path.
The streams include Agriculture, Medical, Education, Technology and Digital Services, Legal Services, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.
Bala Usman said prospective corps members will select their preferred stream during registration, after which they will undergo specialised training tailored to that field.
She also announced a redesigned six-week orientation programme.
Under the new structure, the first two weeks will focus on civic education, national values, leadership development and citizenship responsibilities.
The following two weeks will provide practical training in financial literacy, business planning, career development and access to funding opportunities, alongside structured career engagement sessions with employers and industry professionals.
The final two weeks will be dedicated to intensive training within each participant’s chosen stream to improve employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
According to the presidential aide, the reforms represent the most significant transformation in the history of the NYSC since its creation in 1973.
She described President Tinubu’s approval of the reforms as a bold step towards repositioning the scheme to equip Nigerian graduates with practical skills capable of supporting economic growth.
The NYSC was established after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national unity, reconciliation and integration by deploying graduates to states outside their places of origin for one year of national service.
The scheme is currently headed by Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
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