By Abigail David
ABUJA — The Federal Government has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing an expanded six-week orientation programme, 11 specialised career streams and a new deployment structure aimed at improving skills development and national service.
The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, represent the first comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973.
Speaking after the FEC meeting, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the orientation programme will now last six weeks and be divided into three phases.
According to her, the first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values and leadership development. The second phase will cover career mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance, alongside a structured career day programme. The final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s selected career stream.
Under the new framework, corps members will choose one of 11 specialised streams during registration. The streams include Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps and Paramilitary and Security Corps.
Usman said the specialised streams are designed to align graduates’ academic backgrounds and career interests with the needs of Nigeria’s labour market while providing practical, industry-relevant training.
The reforms also introduce a risk-sensitive deployment system, allowing security considerations to play a greater role in the posting of corps members across the country.
In addition, the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian, while the military will continue providing security support during orientation and service.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms also include a redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride, the replacement of the traditional Passing Out Parade with a graduation ceremony, and the introduction of a national grading and certification system to standardise orientation camps nationwide.
The Federal Executive Council has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the approved reforms.
