FG Approves First Major NYSC Reform In 53 years
The Federal Government has approved the biggest reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since it was created 53 years ago.
The changes, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, are aimed at making the scheme more useful for national unity, skills training, job creation and youth empowerment.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms will modernise the scheme through digital operations, stronger security, better welfare for corps members, improved orientation camps and a new graduation-style passing-out ceremony.
Corps members will also receive professional identity certification, while the NYSC Act will be amended to support the changes.
The President’s Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the NYSC will now be led by civilians instead of serving military officers.
She explained that the military would continue to handle security across the country, while the one-year service period would remain unchanged, although participants in special programmes like the proposed Digital Corps could spend extra time in training before deployment.
She added that the reforms are meant to prepare more young Nigerians with practical skills, especially in science and technology fields, while improving coordination of youth programmes.
The Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to work with the Ministry of Youth Development on amendments to the NYSC Act, with a bill to be sent to the National Assembly for approval.
