Corps Members Must Leave NYSC Better Prepared For Work, National Service— Tinubu Defends Reforms

President Bola Tinubu has defended the sweeping reforms recently approved for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip corps members with practical skills, improve their employability and strengthen their contribution to national development.

This was just as the president said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, represent the most far-reaching changes to the scheme since its establishment in 1973 and fulfil his administration's pledge to expand opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Tinubu made the remarks in a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, stressing that the overhaul was part of his government's commitment to placing young people at the centre of national development.

"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," he said.

The president acknowledged the historic role of the NYSC in promoting national unity over the past five decades but argued that changing realities require the scheme to evolve.

"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,” Tinubu stated.

As part of the reforms, the orientation programme will be extended from the current duration to six weeks, with a revised curriculum focusing on civic responsibility, leadership, national values, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital literacy, financial literacy and specialised professional training tailored to participants' academic qualifications and career interests.

According to the President, corps members will receive sector-specific training in agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, infrastructure, public service, enterprise, the creative economy, the green economy, as well as paramilitary and security services.

"Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service," Tinubu said.

He added that the reforms would also improve the safety of corps members through a risk-based deployment system, particularly for states facing security challenges.

Under the new framework, deployment will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in affected states and participants from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.

Tinubu further disclosed that the mobilisation process would become technology-driven, while primary assignments would be matched more closely with corps members' academic backgrounds, professional skills and career paths.

"The call-up process will become technology-driven and primary assignments will be better aligned with each corps member's skills, academic background and career stream," he said.

On institutional restructuring, the President announced that the NYSC would henceforth be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or another paramilitary organisation.

He also revealed that orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, with state governments expected to meet prescribed operational standards.

In another major change, Tinubu said the scheme's traditional Passing-Out Parade would be replaced by a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded 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.

The President commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their roles in developing the initiative.

He also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and relevant subsidiary regulations to provide the reforms with the required legal backing.

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to Nigerian youths, Tinubu said, "To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you.

"We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future.”