By Anuoluwa Amao
The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the traditional khaki uniform worn by members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with Adire fabric as part of its ongoing reform initiatives.
The move is aimed at promoting indigenous textile production, supporting local industries, and stimulating economic growth by increasing demand for locally made fabrics.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, saying the initiative would support indigenous textile manufacturers in states such as Ogun and Kwara.
“It’s Adire. So, Adire is being 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,” he said.
The minister also revealed that corps members would increasingly be posted based on their academic qualifications and areas of specialisation. Graduates in education-related fields, for instance, would be deployed to schools to ensure their skills are effectively utilised.
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On security, Olawande said the government is considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, especially in areas facing insecurity, to reduce concerns from parents and prospective participants.
He further clarified that the military would not be removed from the NYSC, noting that while the scheme’s operational leadership would be civilian-led, the armed forces would continue providing security support.
The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council this week, are expected to reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven and youth-empowerment programme that aligns with the Federal Government’s economic goals.