By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme have received approval from President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marking the first holistic review of the scheme in its 53-year history.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the approved reforms are intended to reposition the NYSC as a-skills driven, productivity focused and youth empowering institution that aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said among the approved measures are a technology driven call-up process, risk sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, and a redesigned six week orientation programme with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams.
He said the reforms also introduce skills based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways. Operational leadership of the NYSC will be handled by civilians, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country.
Other approved measures include improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride, Olawande added.
He added that the reform process began in 2025 through a broad based, multi stakeholder review involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
The FEC also endorsed the reforms at its meeting and directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the FMYD to begin amending the NYSC Act and its regulations to give legal effect to the reforms and enable their implementation.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that President Tinubu further directed the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Youth’ Minister, Ayodele Olawande, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to reflect all the approved reform measures, enabling immediate implementation of the new framework.
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