The Federal Government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms aimed at promoting local production and repositioning the scheme.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the change during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, saying the decision is designed to boost Nigeria’s textile industry and keep government spending within the local economy.
“It’s Adire. Adire is produced in Nigeria. We have producers in Ogun, Kwara and other states with textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” the minister said.
Beyond the new uniform, Olawande disclosed that the NYSC would begin deploying corps members based on their academic qualifications and professional skills.
Under the new arrangement, graduates with education-related degrees, for instance, will be posted to schools, replacing the current practice where corps members are often deployed without regard to their areas of specialisation.
He explained that the deployment process would begin during orientation camp, allowing corps members to follow pathways that align with their training before being assigned to their places of primary assignment.
The minister also revealed that the government is considering allowing prospective corps members to serve in regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges.
According to him, the approach is intended to reduce security concerns raised by parents and participants while making the deployment process more practical and efficient.
“If someone studied in a particular region and understands the environment, it makes more sense to deploy that person there instead of sending someone unfamiliar with the area. Those who wish to serve elsewhere will still have that opportunity, but we want the process to be more flexible and impactful,” he said.
Olawande dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing the claims as a misunderstanding of the approved reforms.
He clarified that while the operational leadership of the scheme would now be headed by a civilian, the military would continue to play a vital role, particularly in ensuring the security of corps members.
“We are not taking the military out of NYSC. That is a misconception. The reform only shifts the scheme from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation. The military will continue to support the programme, especially on security,” he said.
The reforms follow Monday’s approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the first comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since the scheme was established 53 years ago.
As part of the reforms, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide the legal framework for implementation.
The Federal Government said the restructuring is aimed at transforming the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth empowerment programme that supports its broader ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
