….Orientation programme extended to six weeks
….Deployment to security-challenged states to be guided by risk assessment
....Corps members to receive specialised training aligned with academic background, career paths
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has announced that, as part of the newly approved reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the scheme will henceforth be headed by a civilian Director-General instead of a military officer.
The President also disclosed that the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to six weeks, with every corps member expected to complete the scheme better equipped for employment, entrepreneurship and national service.
Recall that the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, briefed journalists after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on the far-reaching reforms approved for the NYSC, which was established in 1973.
In a post on his verified X account, @ABAT, on Wednesday, President Tinubu said his administration is repositioning the NYSC into a platform for national development while strengthening its governance, standards and dignity.
He wrote: “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.
“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.
“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 of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation.”
Explaining the rationale behind the reforms, the President said the government is transforming the NYSC from a mobilisation scheme into a national development platform focused on skills acquisition, employability, productivity and entrepreneurship.
“The NYSC orientation programme will now become a six-week journey.
“It will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development. It will then move into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial skills. Finally, corps members will receive specialised training aligned with their academic background and career pathway.
“These streams will include agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and paramilitary/security service.
“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service.”
On the safety of corps members, Tinubu said deployment to security-challenged states would be based on risk assessment.
“We are also making the NYSC Scheme safer and smarter.
“Deployment to security-challenged states will be guided by risk assessment. It will prioritise indigenes, residents, and graduates of institutions in those states, as well as those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.
“The call-up process will become technology-driven, and primary assignments will be better aligned with each corps member’s skills, academic background and career stream.”
The President further stated that the scheme would now be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who would be a military or paramilitary officer.
“Our administration is also strengthening governance, standards and the dignity of the NYSC Scheme.
“The NYSC will be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who will be a military or paramilitary officer.
“Orientation camps will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, while states will be expected to meet minimum standards.
“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.”
President Tinubu commended the officials involved in developing the reform package.
“I commend the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; my Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; the Federal Ministry of Education; and the members of the Reform Committee for their work.
“I have directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and subsidiary regulations.
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future.”