President Bola Tinubu has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, marking the first holistic review of the scheme since it was established 53 years ago in 1973.
The Federal Executive Council gave the approval on Monday, June 29, 2026, at a meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development, describing it as a landmark step to reposition the NYSC for the future.
“For over five decades, the NYSC has remained a powerful symbol of national unity and service. Today, we have taken a bold step to preserve that legacy while preparing it for the future,” Olawande said. He added that the reforms would transform the scheme into “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”
Key changes approved by the council include the replacement of military leadership with a civilian Director-General, while the military will continue to provide security support. “A major highlight of the reform is the approval of a new operational structure that places the day-to-day leadership of the NYSC under civilian management,” officials said.
The orientation programme will be redesigned into a six-week course with stronger emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams. The council also approved 11 specialised skills-based streams that corps members will select from at registration. The traditional Passing Out Parade will be scrapped and replaced with a formal graduation ceremony, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride.
Other reforms include a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to enhance the safety of corps members, and skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic backgrounds and career aspirations. Orientation camps nationwide will be upgraded through a national grading and certification system, with state governments expected to provide facilities that meet defined standards.
The Federal Government has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to give immediate legal effect to the changes. The review process began in 2025 through consultations involving the Ministries of Youth Development and Education, and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the mandatory one-year service remains unchanged but will now incorporate flexible, skills-based learning pathways. “Specialised groups, including a proposed Digital Corps, may receive additional training leading to professional certifications before deployment,” she explained.
Minister Olawande said the reform is an investment in young people. “This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever,” he said.
