President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s comprehensive reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the changes as a major step toward equipping Nigerian youths with practical skills, boosting their employability and preparing them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday, the President said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, represent the most significant restructuring of the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973.
Tinubu said the reforms are in line with the commitment he made during his inauguration to create meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians and ensure that youth remain at the centre of his administration’s development agenda.
He noted that while the NYSC has successfully promoted national unity for more than five decades, changing national realities require the scheme to take on a broader role focused on skills acquisition, innovation and economic productivity.
According to the President, young people make up nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population and should be seen as a vital force for economic growth rather than a challenge to be managed.
He explained that the restructured NYSC will evolve from being primarily a mobilisation programme into a national development platform that promotes skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employability, productivity and enterprise.
Under the new framework, the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to six weeks. The training will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, national values and personal development before progressing to career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial literacy and specialised professional training based on participants’ academic qualifications and career interests.
Tinubu disclosed that corps members will be grouped into specialised streams covering sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise development, the creative industry, as well as paramilitary and security services.
The President also announced new measures to improve the safety of corps members. He said deployments to security-challenged states will be determined through risk assessments, with priority given to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within those states and neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.
He further stated that the NYSC call-up process will become fully technology-driven, while primary place of assignment postings will be aligned with each corps member’s academic background, professional skills and chosen career stream.
As part of the reforms, Tinubu revealed that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including one drawn from the military or paramilitary services to oversee security matters.
He added that orientation camps will be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, while the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded scope of the programme.
The President said he has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the necessary legal backing for the reforms.
Tinubu also commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their roles in developing the new framework.
Addressing Nigerian youths, the President reaffirmed his confidence in their potential, stating that his administration remains committed to building a country that supports their talent, ambition and future aspirations.
Tinubu Defends Sweeping NYSC Reforms, Says Overhaul Will Equip Youth for National Development
