FEC approves 6-week orientation, new uniform for NYSC

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, introducing a six-week orientation programme and a new uniform for corps members as part of efforts to reposition the 53-year-old scheme for national development.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the approval on Monday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Olawande described the reforms as the most far-reaching review of the NYSC in decades, saying they were designed to align the scheme with current realities, improve national service delivery and equip young Nigerians with practical skills for self-reliance.

According to him, the orientation camp, which currently lasts three weeks, will now run for six weeks to provide corps members with more intensive training in entrepreneurship, digital skills, vocational education and civic responsibility.

“The orientation programme will no longer be limited to the traditional three weeks. It has been expanded to six weeks to allow for more meaningful engagement, stronger skills acquisition and better preparation of our young people for life after service,” the minister said.

He also disclosed that the council approved the introduction of a new NYSC uniform, noting that the existing design had remained largely unchanged for decades.

The new uniform, he explained, is expected to reflect contemporary standards while improving the comfort, identity and overall appearance of corps members.

Mr Olawande said the reforms followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, including government agencies, security institutions, education experts, employers and youth organisations.

Beyond the orientation programme and uniform redesign, he said the reforms would strengthen entrepreneurship training, digital literacy, community development service and national integration initiatives.

The minister noted that the revised programme would expose corps members to modern vocational and technology-driven opportunities capable of enhancing their employability and encouraging entrepreneurship after the service year.

He added that the reforms also place greater emphasis on security awareness, leadership development and community engagement to ensure corps members contribute more effectively to national development.

According to Mr Olawande, implementation of the approved reforms will commence in phases, with relevant ministries and agencies directed to work with the NYSC Directorate Headquarters to ensure a seamless transition.

He said the Federal Government remains committed to preserving the core objectives of the NYSC while adapting the scheme to meet the aspirations of today’s youth and the country’s evolving socio-economic needs.

Established in 1973, the NYSC was created to foster national unity and integration among graduates from Nigeria’s higher institutions. Over the years, the scheme has undergone several administrative adjustments, but the latest reforms represent one of its most comprehensive overhauls.