President Bola Tinubu has unveiled far-reaching reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), announcing that the deployment of corps members to states will now be guided by security risk assessments.
The President said the measure is aimed at enhancing the safety of corps members, particularly in states facing security challenges, as part of efforts to modernise the 53-year-old scheme.
Tinubu also confirmed that the NYSC would henceforth be headed by a civilian director-general, replacing the longstanding practice of appointing military officers to oversee the agency.
In addition, the President said the NYSC orientation course would be extended from three to six weeks to better prepare participants for employment, entrepreneurship and national service.
The reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday and announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, after the council meeting.
In a post on his official X handle, @ABAT, Tinubu described the changes as the most significant reforms to the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
He said the reforms were in line with his administration’s commitment to creating greater opportunities for young Nigerians.
“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Scheme since its establishment in 1973,” the President wrote.
Tinubu said the NYSC had played a vital role in promoting national unity over the past five decades, but noted that the realities of modern Nigeria required a broader mandate for the scheme.
According to him, the reforms will transform the NYSC from a mobilisation programme into a platform for skills development, employability, productivity and entrepreneurship.
He explained that the new six-week orientation programme will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development before moving to career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial literacy.
The final phase, he said, will provide specialised training based on corps members’ academic backgrounds and career aspirations, covering sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative industry and para-military/security services.
