The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved major reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing sweeping changes aimed at making the scheme more relevant to the needs of young Nigerians and the country’s economy.
The approval, given during the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, marks the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since it was established 53 years ago.
Under the new reforms, the NYSC will place greater emphasis on skills development, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and productivity, while its leadership structure will also change with a civilian set to head the scheme. The military will, however, continue to provide security for corps members across the country.
The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the legal backing needed to implement the reforms.
Announcing the development on his X handle, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the approval as a landmark decision that would transform the scheme into a platform that prepares young Nigerians for modern economic opportunities.
“We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world,” he said.
According to the minister, the reforms will align the NYSC with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by making the scheme more skills-driven and youth-focused.
He said the changes include a technology-driven call-up process, safer deployment of corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation camp with stronger emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship and digital skills, as well as skills-based primary assignments linked to graduates’ academic qualifications and career goals.
Other reforms include improved camp facilities through a national grading and certification system, a new graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform to promote professionalism and national pride.
Olawande said the reform process began in 2025 through consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination before receiving final approval from the Federal Executive Council.
He described the reforms as an investment in Nigeria’s youth, expressing confidence that they would make the NYSC more impactful and better positioned to meet the country’s future development goals.
Established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to promote national unity by posting graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of compulsory national service. The latest reforms represent the most significant changes to the scheme since its inception.
