The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the most extensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since its creation in 1973, replacing military leadership with a civilian Director-General, extending the orientation programme from three to six weeks, and replacing the traditional Passing-Out Parade with a graduation ceremony.
The council approved the reforms during its meeting on Monday, chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The government also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to amend the NYSC Act to provide legal backing for the changes.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Wisdom said the government began reviewing the scheme in 2025 through a committee established to modernise the NYSC.
He said the reforms will transform the scheme from a mobilisation programme into a platform that equips young Nigerians with practical skills, promotes entrepreneurship and supports national economic growth.
According to him, the review identified outdated laws, weak links between education and employment, and concerns over the safety and welfare of corps members as major challenges requiring urgent attention.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, described the overhaul as the first comprehensive reform in the scheme’s 53-year history. She said the administration designed the changes to align the NYSC with its goal of building a $1 trillion economy by making it civilian-led, skills-driven and productivity-focused.
Under the new structure, prospective corps members will choose one of 11 specialised streams during registration based on their academic background and skills. The streams include Agriculture, Medical, Education, Technology and Digital, Legal, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.
The government also redesigned the orientation camp into a six-week programme divided into three phases. The first phase will focus on civic responsibility, leadership and national values. The second will cover career planning, financial literacy, business development and access to finance, while the final phase will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s selected stream.
For specialised fields such as the Digital Core, where certifications may last between three and six months, participants will remain in structured training instead of proceeding immediately to their places of primary assignment.
The reforms also introduce a civilian Director-General to head the NYSC, supported by three Executive Directors. However, the military will continue to oversee security operations to ensure the safety of corps members across the country.
In addition, the government approved a redesign of the NYSC uniform to give it a more professional appearance while retaining its unique identity.
Speaking on the rising trend of young Nigerians emigrating, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon, Bala-Usman said the reforms aim to equip more graduates with globally competitive skills that can benefit both Nigeria and the international economy.
FEC approves health and aviation projects
Beyond the NYSC reforms, the council approved several projects in the health and aviation sectors valued at over N128 billion.
The approvals include upgrading the Snakebite Treatment Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre to strengthen research, treatment and training on snakebite management.
The government also approved the procurement of tuberculosis drugs worth N62 billion, reproductive health commodities valued at N25 billion, and 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation clinic vans for the National Blood Service Agency at a cost of N6.9 billion.
In the aviation sector, FEC approved the construction of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State at a cost of N34.39 billion. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the airstrip would support agriculture, security operations, humanitarian missions and emergency medical services in the Middle Belt region.
