The Federal Executive Council has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps, introducing a six-week orientation programme, replacing the military-led management structure with a civilian Director-General, and transforming the scheme into an 11-stream, skills-focused programme.
The decision was reached during Monday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, said the reforms followed a comprehensive review initiated in 2025 to reposition the NYSC in line with Nigeria’s current development priorities.
He said, “The NYSC was established in 1973 to promote national unity after the civil war. While it has served that purpose for over five decades, the country’s needs have evolved, making it necessary to reform the scheme.”
According to the minister, the review identified several challenges, including outdated legislation, weak links between education and employment, and concerns over the welfare and security of corps members.
As part of the reforms, corps members will now be required to choose from 11 specialised streams during registration. These include Agriculture, Medical, Education, Technology and Digital, Legal, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, described the changes as the most extensive overhaul of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.
She said, “The objective is to reposition the NYSC as a civilian-led, skill-oriented and productivity-driven institution that will contribute to Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.”
Bala-Usman explained that the orientation camp would now run for six weeks instead of the traditional three weeks.
According to her, the first phase will focus on civic responsibility, leadership and national values, while the second phase will cover career development, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and access to funding. The final phase will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s chosen stream.
She added, “For streams that require longer certification periods, such as the Digital Core, participants will remain in structured training until they complete the required certifications instead of proceeding immediately to their places of primary assignment.”
The reforms also abolish the traditional Passing-Out Parade, replacing it with a graduation ceremony. In addition, the NYSC uniform will be redesigned to reflect a more professional identity.
Bala-Usman noted that although the scheme will now be headed by a civilian Director-General supported by three Executive Directors, the military will continue to oversee security responsibilities.
She said, “The operational leadership of NYSC will now be civilian-led, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members across the country.”
To ensure the reforms take immediate effect, the Federal Government has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations.
On the increasing migration of young Nigerians, popularly known as the Japa phenomenon, Bala-Usman said the reforms were designed to equip graduates with employable skills that would enable them contribute to national development regardless of where they eventually reside.
Meanwhile, FEC also approved the establishment of the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to strengthen treatment, research and training on snakebite management.
The Council further approved several health and infrastructure projects, including the procurement of tuberculosis treatment commodities, reproductive health supplies, 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation vehicles, and the construction of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State.
The combined value of the approved projects is estimated at over ₦128 billion.
