Tinubu Defends NYSC Reforms, Says Changes Will Prepare Youth for National Development

President Bola Tinubu has defended the sweeping reforms recently approved for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying they are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve national service and position them for greater contributions to the country’s development.

The President, in a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, described the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday as the most far-reaching changes to the scheme since it was established in 1973.

According to Tinubu, the overhaul fulfils a key campaign promise to create meaningful opportunities for young people and ensure they play a central role in his administration.

“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 said.

While acknowledging the NYSC’s long-standing role in promoting national unity, the President stressed that the country’s evolving realities require a more dynamic programme that prepares graduates for the modern economy.

He noted that with young people making up nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, they should be seen as drivers of national progress rather than a burden.

Under the new reforms, the NYSC orientation programme will be extended from three weeks to six weeks and will place greater emphasis on civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, digital and financial literacy, career development and specialised training based on participants’ academic qualifications and career goals.

Tinubu said corps members would receive training in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative industry and para-military and security services.

“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.

The President also announced new security measures, including risk-based deployment for corps members. Under the arrangement, posting to security-challenged states will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within affected states and those from neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.

He added that the call-up process would become fully technology-driven, while postings to places of primary assignment would be matched more closely with corps members’ qualifications, skills and career interests.

As part of the restructuring, Tinubu disclosed that the NYSC would now be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, one of whom would oversee security matters and be drawn from the military or a paramilitary agency.

He further said orientation camps would be subjected to a national grading and certification framework, with state governments required to meet minimum operational standards.

According to the President, the traditional Passing-Out Parade would be renamed a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded training corps members would receive during the service year.

Tinubu commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their contributions to the initiative.

He also directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to Nigeria’s youth, the President said, “To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future.”