President Bola Tinubu has explained that the Federal Government’s newly approved reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve national service and prepare graduates for the country’s evolving workforce.
The President, in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, said the reforms fulfil his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and repositioning the NYSC for national development.
According to him, although the scheme has successfully promoted national unity for over five decades, changing realities require a more skills-driven and development-focused approach.
“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973,” Tinubu said.
“On the day I was sworn in as your President, I promised to create meaningful opportunities for our young people. I said women and youth would feature prominently in our administration, and this reform is partly the actualisation of that promise.”
The President noted that young Nigerians constitute nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population and should be seen as a vital asset rather than a burden.
“Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed; they are the engine,” he said.
Tinubu explained that the orientation programme would now last six weeks instead of three, with greater emphasis on civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital and financial literacy, as well as specialised training based on participants’ academic backgrounds and career aspirations.
He said corps members would receive training in specialised fields including agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and paramilitary and security services.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.
The President also disclosed that the reforms introduce a technology-driven call-up process and skills-based deployment to ensure corps members are posted in line with their qualifications and career interests.
To improve safety, Tinubu said the scheme would adopt a risk-based deployment system, particularly for security-challenged states, giving priority to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions in affected states and neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.
On the administration of the scheme, Tinubu announced that the NYSC would now be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including one from the military or paramilitary to oversee security services.
He added that orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, while states would be required to meet minimum operational standards.
The President further revealed that the traditional Passing-Out Parade would be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the new direction of the scheme.
“The Passing-Out Parade will become a Graduation Ceremony because our corps members will no longer merely complete service. They will graduate as trained civic and professional contributors to national development,” he said.
Tinubu 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 contributions to the reforms.
He also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin amending the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the approved changes.
Addressing young Nigerians, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in their future.
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future,” he said.
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