President Bola Tinubu has said the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to security-challenged states will henceforth be guided by comprehensive risk assessments as part of far-reaching reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The President disclosed this in a statement published on his official X account while explaining the rationale behind what he described as the most significant reforms of the NYSC since the scheme was established in 1973.
Tinubu said the reforms are designed to transform the NYSC from a mobilisation programme into a platform for skills development, employability, entrepreneurship and national productivity.
According to him, the traditional orientation exercise will be expanded into a six-week programme focused on civic responsibility, leadership, personal development, entrepreneurship, digital and financial literacy, as well as specialised training aligned with each corps member’s academic background and career aspirations.
He said participants will receive specialised training in sectors including agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative industry, and paramilitary and security services.
The President stressed that every corps member should complete the programme better prepared for employment, business and national service.
On security, Tinubu said corps members posted to security-sensitive areas would be deployed only after appropriate risk assessments.
He explained that deployment would prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in affected states and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone to minimise security risks.
Tinubu also announced governance reforms within the scheme, stating that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or another paramilitary organisation.
In addition, orientation camps across the country will be subjected to a national grading and certification framework, while state governments will be required to meet minimum operational standards for camp facilities and welfare.
The President further revealed that the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded training and skills acquisition components of the scheme.
He said the reforms fulfil his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians and positioning them as key drivers of national development.
Tinubu commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the Special Adviser to the President 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 begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.