The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps’ traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of reforms aimed at strengthening local industries and repositioning the scheme.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the initiative would boost Nigeria’s textile industry by ensuring government spending supports local manufacturers.
According to him, Adire is produced in several states, including Ogun and Kwara, making it a viable alternative to the current uniform.
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” the minister said.
Olawande also said the government plans to align corps members’ postings with their academic qualifications to make the service year more productive.
He explained that graduates trained as teachers, for example, would be posted to schools based on information gathered during orientation camp rather than through random deployment.
“After leaving camp, you are not just posted to a school because NYSC wants you there, but because of the process you followed in camp. That will provide a framework for where you are posted,” he said.
On security, the minister revealed that the government was considering deploying corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.
He said the proposal would reduce requests for redeployment while addressing concerns expressed by parents and prospective corps members.
“If you have an interest in serving in the North-East, that’s fine. But if you don’t, instead of posting and later redeploying you, we are looking at how people can serve in geographical areas they are familiar with while ensuring the scheme remains impactful,” he said.
Olawande also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, clarifying that while the scheme’s operational leadership would become civilian-led under the reforms, the armed forces would continue providing security support for corps members nationwide.
The planned changes follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval on Monday of a comprehensive review of the NYSC—the first major reform of the scheme since it was established in 1973.
As part of the reforms, the council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to accommodate the new framework.
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