President Bola Tinubu has explained the rationale behind the Federal Government’s newly approved reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve national service and prepare participants for the country’s evolving socio-economic realities.
The President made this known in a statement posted on his official X account on Wednesday, two days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved what he described as the most significant reforms to the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973.
“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.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged the NYSC’s longstanding contribution to national unity but noted that changing realities require a more modern and practical approach.
“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved.
“But the Nigeria of today demands more.
“Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed; they are the engine,” he stated.
Under the approved reforms, the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to six weeks and redesigned to place greater emphasis on civic responsibility, leadership, national values, career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and financial literacy.
Tinubu said corps members would also receive specialised training tailored to their academic qualifications and career aspirations in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative industry, and paramilitary and security services.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.
The President also announced new security measures aimed at making the scheme safer, particularly in states facing security challenges.
According to him, deployment will adopt a risk-based approach, prioritising indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in affected states and participants from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zones.
He added that the call-up process would become fully technology-driven, while primary assignments would be aligned more closely with each corps member’s academic background, skills and career pathway.
Tinubu further disclosed that the NYSC would now be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, one of whom will oversee security matters and be drawn from the military or paramilitary services.
He said orientation camps would also be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, with state governments expected to meet prescribed operational standards.
In another major change, the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the broader skills and professional development components of the reformed 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, the 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 initiative.
He also 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 legal backing for the reforms.
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you,” the President said.