Youth Minister says corps members will be deployed based on their fields of study, while military remains part of the scheme despite civilian leadership reforms.
The Federal Government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with locally made Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms approved for the scheme.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the announcement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the move is designed to promote local industries and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, Kwara and other places. Let’s put our money back into the country,” the minister said.
Olawande also revealed that corps members will now be posted according to their areas of specialization. Under the new arrangement, graduates with education-related qualifications will be deployed to schools, replacing the current system where postings are largely random.
He added that the government is considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, especially in areas facing security challenges, to reduce deployment concerns while improving the effectiveness of the scheme.
The minister dismissed reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing them as misleading. He explained that while the scheme’s operational leadership will become civilian-led, the military will continue to provide security and support during orientation camps and other activities.
The reforms are part of the comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old NYSC approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The government says the changes are aimed at transforming the scheme into a skills-driven, productivity-focused programme that better equips young Nigerians for employment and entrepreneurship while supporting the country’s economic growth objectives.