President Bola Tinubu has provided reasons for approving recent reforms in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to better equip young Nigerians with practical skills and prepare them for active roles in national development.
He explained that the reforms, which were approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, form part of his administration’s broader commitment to creating opportunities for youths across the country.
Tinubu made the remarks in a statement shared via his official X account on Wednesday.
“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 noted that while the NYSC has played a vital role in promoting national unity for over five decades, evolving national challenges now require significant adjustments to the scheme.
“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 said.
Under the new reforms, Tinubu disclosed that the NYSC orientation programme will now last six weeks, with expanded focus areas including civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial education and career development aligned with participants’ academic backgrounds.
He added that corps members will receive training in diverse sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, green economy, creative industries and security-related fields.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.
Tinubu further explained that deployment under the scheme will now adopt a more security-sensitive approach, especially in areas facing insecurity challenges.
He said priority would be given to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within affected states and corps members from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.
He also stated that technology would now play a central role in the call-up process, while postings would be better matched to corps members’ academic and professional backgrounds.
On institutional reforms, the President disclosed that the NYSC would now be led by a civilian Director-General supported by three Executive Directors, one of whom will oversee security matters and be drawn from military or paramilitary services.
He added that orientation camps will now be evaluated under a national performance and certification framework, while state governments must meet minimum operational requirements.
Tinubu also announced that the Passing-Out Parade would now be redesignated as a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the enhanced training corps members would receive.
“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.
He commended key officials and institutions involved in the reform process, including 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.
Tinubu further directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Justice to commence amendments to the NYSC Act and related regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.
He concluded with a message of encouragement to Nigerian youths:
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you.
“We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future,” the President said.
