President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced far-reaching reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), including the extension of the orientation camp from three to six weeks, as part of efforts to equip corps members with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
In a statement shared via his X account on Wednesday, the President described the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, as the most significant overhaul of the NYSC scheme since its establishment in 1973.
Tinubu said the reforms fulfil his administration's commitment to creating greater opportunities for Nigerian youths.
"On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973.
"On the day I was sworn in as your President, I promised to create meaningful opportunities for our young people. I said women and youth would feature prominently in our administration, and this reform is partly the actualisation of that promise," he said.
Orientation camp extended to six weeks
The President said the orientation programme will now run for six weeks, doubling the current three-week duration.
According to him, the expanded curriculum will focus on civic responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship, career readiness, digital literacy, financial literacy and specialised professional training tailored to corps members' academic qualifications and career aspirations.
He explained that participants will receive sector-specific training in agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, infrastructure, enterprise, the creative economy, public service, the green economy, as well as para-military and security services.
"Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service," Tinubu stated.
New deployment, technology-driven mobilisation
As part of measures to improve the safety of corps members, Tinubu announced a revised deployment policy under which postings to security-challenged states will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within those states and neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.
He also disclosed that the mobilisation process will become fully technology-driven, while places of primary assignment will be better aligned with each corps member's academic background, professional skills and career interests.
"The call-up process will become technology-driven and primary assignments will be better aligned with each corps member's skills, academic background and career stream," he said.
Civilian DG, camp grading system introduced
The President further announced that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including one overseeing security who will be appointed from the military or another paramilitary agency.
He added that orientation camps across the country will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, with states expected to meet minimum operational standards.
In another major change, Tinubu said the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be renamed a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the enhanced training corps members will receive during their service year.
"The Passing-Out Parade will become a Graduation Ceremony because our corps members will no longer merely complete service. They will graduate as trained civic and professional contributors to national development," he said.
Tinubu seeks legal backing for reforms
The President commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education, and members of the reform committee for their contributions.
He directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the reforms with legal backing.
Reaffirming his confidence in Nigerian youths, Tinubu said the administration remains committed to building a nation where young people can realise their full potential.
"To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future."
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