NYSC reforms will boost youth employment nationwide — APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has described the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, reform as a major step towards repositioning the scheme as a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment and national development.

Oyintiloye speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, commended the Federal Government’s comprehensive reform of the NYSC, noting that the move 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 suited to the demands of the modern labour market.

He said the newly introduced service streams are designed to provide graduates with practical skills tailored to their academic disciplines, career aspirations and the needs of Nigeria’s workforce.

According to Oyintiloye, “The reform will strengthen human capital development by equipping graduates with marketable skills that can improve productivity, create employment opportunities and support economic growth.”

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

Oyintiloye explained that, under the reforms, corps members would be required to select a specialised service stream after completing their registration.

“The streams include 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,” he said.

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

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

“This comprehensive restructuring is the first major reform of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago and reflects the President’s commitment to youth development, job creation and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the new framework would enhance the relevance of the NYSC to Nigeria’s current developmental needs while preserving its core objective of promoting national unity among young Nigerians.

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