By Ambrose Amos
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major review of the scheme since it was established 53 years ago.
The reform, which will see the agency being led by a civilian in its operational leadership, while the military will continue to handle security for corps members across the country.
Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to reflect all the approved reform measures, enabling immediate implementation of the new framework.
Some of the landmark reforms include:
1. A technology-driven call-up process.
2. Risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members.
3. A redesigned six-week orientation programme with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and specialised career streams.
4. Skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways.
5. Modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support.
6. Improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system.
7. A new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.
More Background Of The Reform
Speaking further on the planned NYSC reform, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, revealed that the NYSC orientation camp would be restructured into three phases:
- The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values, and leadership development.
- The next two weeks will cover career mapping, financial literacy, business planning, and access to finance.
- The final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s chosen career stream.
Under the new framework, corps members will select one of the newly created 11 specialised streams upon registration and will receive specialised training throughout the orientation programme in preparation for future employment and national service.
The 11 specialised streams are: Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps.
She added that the specialised streams will equip graduates with practical skills tailored to their academic backgrounds, career interests, and the country’s workforce needs.
Usman noted that the reforms also review deployment procedures, including how corps members are posted across states, with greater consideration for prevailing security realities.
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