FG moves to modernise NYSC with fresh reforms and change of uniform

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a complete overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), thus setting a historical precedent for the reformation of the 53-year-old national service program.

This disclosure was made yesterday by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, after a FEC meeting took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In his statement to State House correspondents, the minister indicated that the approval will involve a comprehensive review of the NYSC in order to make it conform with the present realities in Nigeria.

According to him, the NYSC, established in 1973 in the wake of the Nigerian Civil War, was set up as an initiative to promote unity and integration in the country by making graduates serve for one year in another state outside theirs.

According to the minister, during the last 53 years, the program has played a very important role in integrating young people of Nigeria, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, thus enhancing national cohesion.

But now, when time has passed and national needs have changed, the reform is required.

“Our needs as a country have changed, and many expect the objectives of the NYSC to also change,” the minister said.