Why I approved NYSC reforms – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has explained why his administration approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are intended to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and position them for national development.

The President, in a statement shared via his X account on Wednesday, said the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, represent the most significant changes to the NYSC scheme since it was established in 1973.

According to Tinubu, the reforms are part of his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths.

“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,” he said.

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Tinubu noted that while the NYSC has remained a symbol of national unity for more than five decades, the country’s current realities demand a more relevant and impactful scheme.

“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,” the President stated.

As part of the reforms, Tinubu said the orientation camp programme will now last six weeks instead of the current three weeks.

The expanded programme will include training in civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital and financial literacy, alongside specialised courses tailored to corps members’ academic qualifications and career aspirations.

He added that participants will receive training in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, infrastructure, enterprise, the creative economy, public service, the green economy, as well as para-military and security services.

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

The President also announced new measures aimed at improving the safety of corps members. Under the revised deployment policy, postings to security-challenged states will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions located in those states and neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.

He further disclosed that the mobilisation process would become technology-driven, while places of primary assignment would be aligned more closely with each corps member’s skills, academic background and career path.

“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,” he said.

On the administration of the scheme, Tinubu said the NYSC would now be headed by a civilian Director-General, assisted by three Executive Directors, including one responsible for security who will come from the military or another paramilitary agency.

He also said orientation camps would be evaluated under a national grading and certification framework, with states required to meet minimum operational 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,” he said.

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 relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.

Reaffirming his administration’s confidence in young Nigerians, 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.”