Why I Approved NYSC Reforms – Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the recent reforms approved for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, are aimed at strengthening youth empowerment, deepening national development, and equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for productivity and self-reliance.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle, President Tinubu said the reforms, approved at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, represent one of the most far-reaching changes to the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973. He said the initiative is part of his administration’s broader commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians and ensuring that women and youths remain central to national development.
The President said the reforms were consistent with promises made at his inauguration, noting that his administration is deliberately prioritising youth inclusion and empowerment. He stressed that while the NYSC has remained a key pillar of national unity for over five decades, changing national realities now require a stronger focus on skills development and employability.
President Tinubu stated: “On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973.”
He added: “On the day I was sworn in as your President, 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.”
He further noted: “For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed… They are the engine.”
According to the President, the restructured NYSC orientation programme will now run for six weeks and focus on civic responsibility, leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial skills, and career readiness. He said training will also be aligned with corps members’ academic backgrounds and career paths.
He explained that corps members will receive specialised exposure in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, the creative economy, and security-related services. He said the objective is to ensure that every participant leaves the scheme better prepared for work, enterprise, and national service.
President Tinubu also disclosed that deployment processes will be upgraded through a technology-driven system, adding that placement will prioritise safety through a risk-based approach, especially in security-challenged areas. He said indigenes, residents, graduates of affected institutions, and those from neighbouring states will be prioritised in such deployments.
He further stated that NYSC governance will be restructured, with the scheme now headed by a civilian Director-General supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or paramilitary agencies. Orientation camps, he said, will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, while states will be required to meet minimum operational standards.
President Tinubu added: “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.”
He commended the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande; the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman; the Federal Ministry of Education; and members of the reform committee for their contributions.
The President also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and related regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.
He concluded: “To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future.”
Tags: #NYSCReform #BolaTinubu #YouthDevelopment
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