President Bola Tinubu has said the recent reforms approved for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills, enhancing their employability and preparing them to contribute more effectively to national development.
The President said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, reflect his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people and ensuring they play a central role in Nigeria’s future.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday, describing the changes as the most significant overhaul of the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973.
According to the President, the reforms are in line with a promise he made during his inauguration to prioritise youth development and empowerment.
He noted that while the NYSC has remained a key platform for promoting national unity over the past five decades, the realities of modern Nigeria require the scheme to evolve beyond its traditional mandate.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s youthful population, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population, should be viewed as a major driver of growth rather than a challenge to be managed.
As part of the reforms, the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to six weeks and redesigned to focus on leadership development, civic responsibility, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital and financial literacy, as well as specialised training tailored to participants’ educational backgrounds and career interests.
He explained that corps members would receive training in critical sectors such as agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, enterprise development, the creative economy, the green economy, and security-related services.
The President stressed that every participant should complete the scheme with improved skills and greater readiness for employment, entrepreneurship and national service.
Tinubu also announced new measures aimed at improving the safety of corps members through a risk-based deployment system, particularly in states facing security challenges.
Under the new arrangement, deployment will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in affected states and individuals from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.
He added that the call-up process would be fully technology-driven, while primary assignments would be aligned more closely with corps members’ qualifications, skills and career aspirations.
On the administrative structure 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 paramilitary services.
He further disclosed that orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, while state governments would be required to meet specified operational standards.
The President said the traditional Passing-Out Parade would be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded training and professional development components of the reformed scheme.
Tinubu commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their contributions to the initiative.
He also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and related regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to young Nigerians, Tinubu said the government remains focused on building a country that supports the aspirations, talents and ambitions of its youth population.
