The Federal Government has approved the most far-reaching reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since its establishment in 1973, introducing a civilian-led management structure, extending the orientation programme to six weeks, and replacing the traditional Passing-Out Parade with a graduation ceremony.
The decisions were approved on Monday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
As part of the overhaul, the government also directed the amendment of the NYSC Act to provide legal backing for the reforms, which are aimed at transforming the scheme into a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment, productivity and national development.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the review process began in 2025 following the inauguration of a committee tasked with repositioning the 53-year-old scheme to meet Nigeria’s current economic and labour market needs.
According to him, while the NYSC has played a significant role in promoting national unity since the end of the civil war, changing realities now require a broader focus on skills acquisition, job creation and entrepreneurship.
“Our review identified several challenges, including outdated laws, weak connections between education and employment, as well as concerns about the safety and welfare of corps members,” the minister said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, described the initiative as the first comprehensive reform of the NYSC in its history, noting that it aligns with the administration’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
She explained that under the new framework, corps members will choose from 11 specialised career streams during registration based on their academic qualifications and skills.
The streams include Agriculture, Medical Services, Education, Technology and Digital Innovation, Legal Services, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise Development, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.
According to Usman, the orientation programme has also been redesigned into a structured six-week curriculum divided into three phases.
The first phase will focus on civic education, leadership and national values, while the second will provide career development training, financial literacy, business planning and access to funding opportunities.
The final phase will consist of specialised training tailored to each corps member’s selected stream.
She added that participants in specialised areas such as the Digital Core may remain in training for up to six months to obtain relevant professional certifications instead of being immediately posted to places of primary assignment.
In another major change, the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General, replacing the longstanding practice of military leadership. The new management structure will also include three Executive Directors, while a military or paramilitary officer will continue to oversee security operations.
Usman clarified that although operational leadership will become civilian, the military will retain responsibility for the security and protection of corps members nationwide.
She further disclosed that the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be discontinued and replaced with a graduation ceremony, while the NYSC uniform will be redesigned to project a more professional identity without losing its distinctive character.
The Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to work with the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and related regulations to facilitate the immediate implementation of the reforms.
Addressing concerns over the increasing migration of young Nigerian professionals abroad, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon, Usman said the government intends to leverage the trend by producing more globally competitive graduates who can contribute to Nigeria’s economy even while working overseas.
She cited India as an example of a country that has benefited from the return of skilled professionals and foreign exchange generated by its diaspora workforce.
FEC Approves New Snakebite Research Centre, N128bn Health and Aviation Projects
Beyond the NYSC reforms, the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to strengthen research, treatment and training on snakebite management.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the facility would address Nigeria’s high burden of snakebite cases, which affect more than 43,000 people annually, particularly in rural farming communities across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
The council also approved the procurement of 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation vehicles worth N6.9 billion to improve blood collection nationwide.
In addition, FEC approved the purchase of tuberculosis treatment commodities valued at N62 billion, marking a shift toward reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign donors for TB medications and laying the foundation for local production.
Another N25 billion was approved for the procurement of reproductive health and family planning commodities for distribution through primary healthcare centres across the country.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the council approved the construction of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State at a cost of N34.39 billion.
According to him, the airstrip will enhance security operations, humanitarian interventions, emergency medical services and support agricultural activities in the Middle Belt region.
