The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved far-reaching reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), including a decision that the scheme will henceforth be headed by a civilian instead of a military officer.
The approval was granted during Monday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms are designed to modernise the NYSC and better prepare corps members for employment and entrepreneurship.
According to him, the one-year mandatory national service will remain in place, but corps members will now benefit from structured professional and skills-based training programmes aimed at improving their competitiveness in the labour market.
Olawande explained that the reforms introduce flexible training models that will allow participants to acquire industry-recognised certifications while serving the country.
He disclosed that graduates enrolled in specialised programmes, including the proposed Digital Corps initiative, may undergo additional training before being deployed to their places of primary assignment.
“Graduates enrolled in specialised streams, such as the proposed Digital Corps, may spend additional time in training before deployment to their primary places of assignment to earn professional certifications that enhance employability and self-employment opportunities,” Olawande said.
The minister added that the reforms are also intended to strengthen youth development initiatives by bringing them under a more coordinated NYSC structure that promotes effective monitoring, accountability and implementation.
Clarifying the changes, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the transition to civilian leadership would not diminish the military’s responsibility for the safety of corps members.
She emphasised that while the operational leadership of the NYSC will now be handled by civilians, the Nigerian military will continue to provide security for participants throughout the service year.
“The safety aspect of our corps members still remains with the military. The operational leadership of the NYSC will be civilian-led, but security will continue to be anchored and implemented by the Nigerian military,” she stated.
To ensure the reforms are properly implemented, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to work with the Ministry of Youth Development on amendments to the NYSC Act and its regulations.
The proposed legal changes are expected to provide the statutory framework required for the immediate execution of the approved reforms.
Responding to concerns about the increasing migration of skilled Nigerian professionals, popularly referred to as brain drain, Bala Usman said the government remains committed to producing more highly skilled graduates, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
She explained that the reforms are designed to equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills, enabling them to thrive both within and outside the country.
According to her, regardless of where beneficiaries eventually choose to work, the country stands to benefit from a more skilled workforce and the possibility of professionals returning home with valuable international experience.
