President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major review of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago. The approval, granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is aimed at transforming the NYSC into a civilian-led, skills-driven and youth-empowering institution capable of supporting the Federal Government’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.

As part of the reform, the Federal Executive Council 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 accommodate the approved changes for immediate implementation. Under the new structure, the NYSC will be headed operationally by a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members nationwide.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the reforms are designed to strengthen human capital development by aligning the scheme with national development priorities. She explained that the new framework would feature a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment, improved camp standards and skills-based primary assignments that reflect corps members’ academic backgrounds and career aspirations.

The redesigned six-week orientation programme will now devote the first two weeks to civic responsibility, national values and leadership development, followed by career mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance. The final two weeks will focus on specialised training based on one of 11 career streams selected by each corps member, including agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, legal services, public service, infrastructure, green economy, enterprise, creative economy, and paramilitary and security.

The reforms also introduce a structured career day programme to connect corps members with employers and industry stakeholders, a national grading and certification system for orientation camps, a redesigned NYSC uniform and a new graduation ceremony that will replace the traditional Passing Out Parade. Government officials said the measures are intended to better prepare Nigerian graduates for employment, entrepreneurship and national service.

Established on May 22, 1973, to foster national unity and reconciliation after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC has remained one of Nigeria’s most enduring national institutions. With the newly approved reforms, the Tinubu administration says the scheme will evolve into a modern institution that equips young Nigerians with practical skills while continuing to promote national integration and development.