Adedokun Waliyu 
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has confirmed that one of the reforms approved for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace the scheme’s traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric.
Speaking during Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the minister said the decision is intended to promote local production, strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry and ensure that government spending supports the country’s economy.
According to Olawande, the Adire fabric will be produced locally, noting that Nigeria already has established Adire production centres in states such as Ogun and Kwara, as well as existing textile industries capable of meeting the demand. He explained that the objective is to ensure government funds are spent within the country to stimulate local businesses and create more economic opportunities.
The minister also revealed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would ensure corps members are posted according to their areas of specialisation. He explained that graduates with education-related qualifications would be assigned to schools because of their training, rather than being posted randomly without considering their professional backgrounds.
He said the reforms would introduce a structured process during the orientation camp that would determine the most suitable place of primary assignment for each corps member. According to him, postings would no longer be based solely on available vacancies but would reflect the training and career path each participant follows while in camp.
Addressing concerns about insecurity in some parts of the country, Olawande stated that the government is considering deploying corps members to states or regions where they studied and are already familiar with the environment, especially in areas facing security challenges.
He explained that the approach would reduce the concerns of parents and prospective corps members while making the deployment process more practical. He added that graduates who are familiar with such areas could serve there more comfortably, while those who are not interested in serving in high-risk locations would not have to undergo the stress of redeployment after camp.
The minister also dismissed reports claiming that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such reports as a misunderstanding of the approved reforms.
He clarified that the military would continue to play an important role in the scheme, particularly in ensuring the security of corps members. According to him, the reform only changes the leadership structure from military-led mobilisation to civilian-led mobilisation and does not eliminate the military’s involvement.
The reforms follow the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the first comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since the scheme was established 53 years ago.
As part of the reforms, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to accommodate the approved changes and facilitate their implementation.
Under the new framework, the NYSC will be headed operationally by a civilian, while the military will continue providing security support for corps members across the country. The Federal Government said the reforms are aimed at transforming the scheme into a skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth-empowerment institution that supports Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
