By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme and boosting local industries.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the plan on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He said the initiative would promote indigenous textile production while ensuring government spending supports the Nigerian economy.
According to the minister, Adire fabrics produced in states such as Ogun State and Kwara State would be used for the new uniforms, helping to strengthen the country’s textile industry.
Olawande also revealed that corps members would increasingly be deployed based on their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds. Under the proposed framework, graduates with education degrees, for example, would be posted to schools rather than being deployed without consideration for their areas of study.
He explained that the posting process would begin during orientation camp, with corps members following structured pathways that determine their eventual places of primary assignment to ensure the scheme delivers greater impact.
On security, the minister said the government was considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied or are already familiar with the environment, especially in areas facing security challenges. He noted that the arrangement would ease concerns among parents and participants while making deployments more practical and reducing the need for frequent redeployments.
Olawande also dismissed reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing the claims as a misconception. He clarified that while the scheme’s operational leadership would be headed by a civilian under the proposed reforms, the military would continue to provide security support for corps members across the country.
The reforms follow the approval by the Federal Executive Council of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, marking the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment in 1973. As part of the decision, the council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to accommodate the changes.
