The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its khaki uniform with Adire fabric.
He said the decision will boost local manufacturing and ensure government spending supports Nigerian industries.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Olawande explained: “Adire is produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country.”
Corps members will now serve in roles that match their qualifications. Education graduates will teach in schools, while others will be deployed according to their fields of study. Olawande stressed that this approach will make postings more purposeful.
The government plans to assign corps members to regions where they studied and already know the environment. This strategy will reduce parental concerns and limit redeployments. Those who wish to serve in high-risk areas will still have the option.
Olawande dismissed claims that the military would leave the NYSC. He clarified that civilians will lead operations, but the military will continue to provide security. “We are not taking the military out of NYSC. We are only moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” he said.
The Federal Executive Council approved the reforms earlier this week. It directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and regulations to reflect the changes.
The new framework aims to reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused institution. The reforms align with the Federal Government’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.
