Ayodele Olawandé, Minister of Youth Development, has clarified that no final decision has been taken on replacing the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric, despite earlier reports that the change had been approved.
Olawandé, who appeared on Channels Television earlier this week, explained that Adire and Ankara were only cited as examples of proposals under consideration as part of sweeping reforms to the 53-year-old scheme, which were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday.
In a statement published on his official X handle, the minister said reports suggesting that Adire had been adopted to replace the khaki uniform misrepresented his remarks during the interview.
“My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform,” he said.
He added that the government is considering options that “tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride.”
Olawandé stressed that any eventual decision on the uniform would be guided by extensive stakeholder consultations and what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the country.
The proposed uniform change was part of a comprehensive overhaul of the scheme, which includes measures to align it with Nigeria’s developmental priorities and enhance its relevance to corps members and communities.
Earlier reports had said the new uniform would be made from Adire, a locally produced fabric with a long history in Nigeria, as part of efforts to promote local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.
The minister’s clarification has triggered fresh reactions online, with some Nigerians welcoming the openness, while others call for a swift and transparent decision on the matter.
The NYSC, established in 1973, continues to use the khaki uniform as its hallmark, though various reform proposals have been floated over the years to modernise the scheme’s image and operations.
