The Federal Government has inaugurated a reform committee to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This move marks a significant step toward strengthening the scheme’s structure, relevance, and impact, geared towards aligning it more closely with national development goals and the evolving needs of Nigerian youths.
The inauguration ceremony was held in Abuja and was attended by key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.
In his address, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasised the vital role played by the NYSC in fostering national unity and youth development since its inception in 1973.
However, he noted that the time had come to reassess and modernise the scheme to reflect contemporary realities and challenges.
“The issue of safety of corps members, infrastructural deficits, and the broader question about the relevance of the scheme in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic landscape are some of the challenges faced.
“But these also present opportunities that demand urgent, visionary, and determined action,” he said.
Olawande stated that the mandate of the committee is to undertake a comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme with the aim of transforming it into a more secure, innovative, and impactful institution.
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He said the committee is expected to critically examine the current operations of the scheme and propose far-reaching reforms that ensure its responsiveness to the evolving aspirations of Nigerian youth.
“The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” he added.
The committee has been given specific terms of reference, which includes: Reviewing all existing policy documents, reports, and legal frameworks guiding NYSC operations; Engaging with stakeholders nationwide through consultations and public forums; Recommending legal, policy, and institutional reforms to the NYSC Act and its operational guidelines; Proposing a framework for improved funding, monitoring, and evaluation; and Submitting a comprehensive report to the Honourable Minister of Youth Development within the agreed timeframe.
Also at the event, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the government planned to start a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps for NCE-certified graduates and healthcare professionals, respectively, particularly those willing to serve in rural areas for a two-year (optional) period.
Alausa explained, “The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and create a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, stressed the need to improve technical and vocational skills training.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, underscored the importance of restructuring technical and vocational skills training to align with students’ academic development.
“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” Usman said.