ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first comprehensive restructuring of the scheme since its establishment more than five decades ago.
Okay News reports that the reform package will transform the NYSC into a civilian-led institution focused on skills development, productivity and youth empowerment. Under the new arrangement, military personnel will continue to provide security support for corps members, while operational leadership of the scheme will be transferred to civilian management. The Federal Government has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth to begin amendments to the NYSC Act and related regulations to enable immediate implementation of the approved changes.
Speaking after the council meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the reforms are designed to align the NYSC with the administration’s economic agenda and strengthen human capital development. She explained that corps members will now be grouped into 11 specialised streams, including agriculture, healthcare, education, technology and digital services, legal services, public administration, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and paramilitary and security services. According to her, the revamped orientation programme will span six weeks, beginning with civic and leadership training, followed by financial literacy and career development modules, before concluding with specialised training tailored to each participant’s chosen stream. The government believes the changes will better equip graduates with practical skills needed to contribute to national development and economic growth.
