Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major review of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.
The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to give legal backing to the approved reforms and facilitate their immediate implementation.
A key feature of the reform is the restructuring of the scheme’s leadership, with the operational head of the NYSC to be a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members across the country.
The Federal Government said the reforms were designed to reposition the NYSC as a skill-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowerment institution in line with the administration’s economic agenda.
According to the government, the revamped scheme is expected to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills, promote entrepreneurship and improve their contribution to national development.
It added that the reforms align with the administration’s vision of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by strengthening youth participation in productive sectors of the economy.
The approval represents the first comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since the scheme was established in 1973 to foster national unity, integration and development through compulsory national service by Nigerian graduates.
The government expressed optimism that the reforms would modernise the scheme and make it more responsive to the country’s evolving socio-economic needs.
