The Federal Government has confirmed that the traditional khaki uniform worn by members of the National Youth Service Corps will be replaced with Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms aimed at repositioning the 53-year-old scheme.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the move was designed to boost local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.
According to him, the new uniform will be produced locally, particularly in states known for Adire and textile production.
“It is Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” the minister said.
Olawande also announced that corps members would henceforth be deployed based on their academic qualifications and areas of specialisation, departing from the existing practice where postings are largely general.
He explained that graduates with education-related qualifications would be posted to schools, while other professionals would be assigned to sectors that align with their training to enhance the impact of the scheme.
“After leaving the camp, you will not just be posted to a school because NYSC wants you there, but because of the process you followed while in camp. That will provide a framework for where you will be posted,” he said.
On insecurity affecting corps deployment, the minister said the government was considering posting prospective corps members to areas where they studied or were already familiar with the environment, especially in regions facing security challenges.
He said the proposal would reduce anxiety among parents and prospective corps members while ensuring the scheme remained effective.
“If people are interested in serving in another region, they can do so. But where there are security concerns, we are looking at deploying those who know the environment instead of forcing postings and later processing redeployments,” Olawande added.
The minister also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of reforms for the scheme.
He clarified that while the operational leadership of the NYSC would become civilian-led, the military would continue to provide security and other support services.
“We are not taking the military out of NYSC. That is a misconception. There is no way you can remove the military. What we are doing is moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” he said.
The reforms followed Monday’s approval by the Federal Executive Council of a comprehensive restructuring of the NYSC, the first major overhaul of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.
As part of the decision, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development were directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to give legal backing to the reforms.
The Federal Government said the changes are intended to transform the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth empowerment institution that supports its broader economic development agenda.
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