FG Commences Major Overhaul of NYSC, Inaugurates Reform Committee

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive reform process for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), inaugurating a high-level committee tasked with reviewing and overhauling the 51-year-old scheme.

The move is aimed at repositioning the NYSC to better align with national development objectives and the dynamic needs of Nigerian youth.

Speaking at the inauguration held at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, stated that the reform is a critical step toward revitalizing the scheme’s relevance, effectiveness, and security, while also addressing infrastructural and operational challenges. She noted that the reform committee will engage with a broad range of stakeholders across sectors to ensure a truly inclusive process.

In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, acknowledged the NYSC’s historic role in promoting national unity and youth empowerment since its inception in 1973. However, he emphasized the need to reposition the scheme to reflect present-day realities, including safety concerns for corps members and the need to enhance the scheme’s contribution to socio-economic development.

“The issue of safety of corps members, infrastructural deficits, and the broader question about the relevance of the scheme in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic landscape are some of the challenges faced. But these also present opportunities that demand urgent, visionary, and determined action,” Olawande said.

He outlined the committee’s core mandate: to conduct a thorough review of existing policies, legal frameworks, and operational guidelines; hold nationwide consultations; and propose transformative reforms, including improved funding mechanisms and monitoring systems. The committee is expected to submit a detailed report to the Ministry within a set timeframe.

Also present was the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, who proposed the introduction of a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps for NCE-certified graduates and healthcare professionals, particularly for deployment to rural areas. These optional two-year initiatives aim to address education and healthcare disparities, offering participants potential pathways to permanent government employment.

In her address, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, emphasized the importance of aligning technical and vocational skills training with academic development. She highlighted the need to empower youth for long-term impact in their communities and the nation.