APC Chieftain Applauds Major NYSC Reform for Youth Empowerment

(Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye. Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria)

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended the Federal Government’s comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as a bold initiative aimed at repositioning the scheme as a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment and national development.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, Oyintiloye said the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by strengthening the capacity of young Nigerian graduates and equipping them with skills relevant to the modern labour market.

He explained that the newly introduced service streams are designed to provide graduates with practical skills tailored to their academic backgrounds, career interests, and the needs of Nigeria’s workforce.

According to him, the reform will strengthen human capital development by equipping graduates with marketable skills to boost productivity, create employment opportunities, and support economic growth.

He noted that the policy represents a strategic shift from the traditional service model to one centred on skills acquisition, innovation, and sector-specific development.

He explained that under the reforms, corps members will be required to select a specialised service stream after registration, listing the streams as Agriculture Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps.

The APC chieftain added that participants would receive specialised training during the orientation programme, equipping them with practical knowledge and competencies relevant to their careers and national service.

Commending the initiative further, he said the reform would help reduce youth unemployment by prioritising skill acquisition and preparing graduates for productive engagement across key sectors of the economy.

He described the restructuring as the first major reform of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago, describing it as a reflection of the President’s commitment to youth development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

He expressed confidence that the new framework would enhance the scheme’s relevance to Nigeria’s current developmental needs while preserving its core objective of fostering national unity.

The NYSC was established by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, to promote reconciliation, national integration, and the development of common ties among Nigerian youths following the Nigerian Civil War.