Youth Minister announces big changes to NYSC operations

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has shared some proposed changes to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that these changes got approval at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

Some of these changes need adjustments to the NYSC Act, while others are just administrative updates.

In a post on his X handle, the minister explained that the reform started last year with a wide review involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.

“Today, that hard work has received the endorsement of the Federal Executive Council,” he wrote.

He mentioned that FEC has instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to begin amending the NYSC Act and its rules to make the reforms official and allow them to take effect.

“This is more than a reform of an institution,” he said. “It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant, and more impactful than ever.”

Proposed changes

Some proposed changes include appointing a Civilian Director General, Executive Directors, and one Directorate.

Since the scheme started in 1973, military officers, mostly of the brigadier general rank, have led it.

The minister also mentioned changes like risk-sensitive deployments, skills-based primary assignments that match academic backgrounds and career paths, and a new six-week orientation program focusing more on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and specialized career areas.

He said the call-up process will also use technology, and the government will introduce civilian leadership while the military continues to provide security support.

He added that camp standards will improve through a national grading and certification system. There will also be a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade and a redesigned NYSC uniform that shows professionalism and national pride.

Existing arrangements

Recently, the NYSC scheme has faced a lot of criticism, with many Nigerians calling for its end, saying it has outlived its usefulness.

Some of the criticisms addressed in these new changes include sending graduates to states with security issues. There have been incidents where corps members traveling to the NYSC camp were kidnapped.

Another major criticism of the scheme is its mandatory nature. According to the current law, all Nigerian graduates under 30 must participate in the scheme. There is no sign that the government plans to change this law.