Tinubu declares NYSC reforms as most consequential since 1973

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has described the new reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as the “most consequential reforms of the scheme since its establishment in 1973,” saying the changes will reposition the NYSC from a mobilisation programme into “a national development platform for skills, employability, productivity and enterprise.”

In his post via his verified X handle @officialABAT, he described the overhaul approved at Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which he presided over, as fulfilment of a promise he made on the day he was sworn in.

“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.

“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved,” the President said, but added that “the Nigeria of today demands more.” He stressed the demographic and economic stakes: “Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed… They are the engine of the one trillion dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation.”

Under the announced changes, the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to a six week curriculum designed to move beyond basic mobilisation.

“It will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development. It will then move into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial skills. Finally, corps members will receive specialised training aligned with their academic background and career pathway.”

Tinubu outlined the new career streams that will guide specialised training to include agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, green economy, enterprise, creative economy and para military/security service.” He made clear his expectation: “Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service.”

The president also pledged to make the scheme safer and smarter. On deployment and security, he said: “Deployment to security challenged states will be guided by risk assessment. It will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions in those states and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zones.

“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.”

On governance and dignity of service, Tinubu announced structural changes at the top of the scheme: “The NYSC will be led by a civilian Director General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who will be a military or paramilitary officer.” He added measures to standardise training and accountability: “Orientation camps will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, while states will be expected to meet minimum standards.”

Signalling a shift in how service completion will be framed, the president said the traditional Passing Out Parade will be rebranded: “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.”