The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing the most extensive changes to the scheme since it was established 53 years ago.
The decisions were taken at the FEC meeting held in Abuja on Monday, June 29, as part of efforts to transform the NYSC into a skills-based institution that supports youth empowerment and the Federal Government’s economic development agenda.
Among the key changes is a new leadership structure that will place the scheme under a civilian administrator, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country.
To facilitate the implementation of the reforms, the council directed the Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations.
Announcing the development on X, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the decision as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its creation.
“We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world,” Olawande said.
He added that the reforms would reposition the scheme as “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”
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According to the minister, the approved measures include “a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams, skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways, modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support, improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”
Olawande said the reform process began in 2025 through consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination before receiving FEC approval.
“This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever,” he added.
The NYSC was established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national unity by posting graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of compulsory service.
The latest reforms represent its first major restructuring and are intended to make the scheme more responsive to Nigeria’s current economic and workforce needs.