FG INAUGURATES COMMITTEE FOR NYSC REFORMS AMID SAFETY
The Federal Government has launched a major effort to reform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aiming to modernize the five-decade-old scheme and align it with Nigeria’s current developmental needs. At a well-attended ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande inaugurated a multi-stakeholder committee tasked with reviewing the NYSC’s policies, operations, and future trajectory.
The reform initiative comes amid mounting concerns about the safety of corps members, especially those posted to volatile regions, as well as growing debates about the scheme’s relevance in today’s economic landscape. Speaking at the inauguration, Olawande acknowledged the scheme’s historical contributions to national unity and youth development since its inception in 1973 but warned that it is long overdue for a comprehensive overhaul.
“The NYSC is at a crossroads. While it remains one of our strongest tools for youth engagement, there are pressing issues of insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and questionable post-service opportunities that need to be tackled head-on,” the minister stated. He noted that the committee’s work would encompass everything from security improvements and skill acquisition enhancement to legislative reform and policy alignment with national goals.
Part of the committee’s mandate includes nationwide consultations, engagement with former corps members, and input from private sector stakeholders. The government also plans to introduce specialized corps like the Teachers’ Corps and Medical Corps, according to Minister of State for Education Maruf Tunji Alausa. These targeted deployments would channel trained professionals into underserved rural communities and help resolve chronic shortages in education and healthcare services.
Hadiza Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, added that the revamp will also focus on technical and vocational training to boost self-reliance among youths. The committee has been given a deadline to produce actionable recommendations that would guide policy, law, and funding strategies for the NYSC in coming years.
