President Bola Tinubu has announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will henceforth be headed by a civilian Director-General as part of sweeping reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The President also disclosed that the NYSC orientation programme would be extended from three to six weeks, with corps members receiving specialised training designed to improve their employability, entrepreneurship and national development contributions.
Tinubu made the announcement on Wednesday in a post on his verified X account, saying the reforms represent the most significant changes to the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
He said the reforms were aimed at repositioning the scheme into a platform that equips young Nigerians with practical skills while preserving its core objective of promoting national unity.
Civilian to head NYSC
According to the President, the NYSC will now be led by a civilian Director-General instead of a military officer.
He explained that the Director-General would be supported by three Executive Directors, one of whom would oversee security matters and be drawn from the military or another paramilitary organisation.
“Our administration is also strengthening governance, standards and the dignity of the NYSC Scheme.
“The NYSC will be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who will be a military or paramilitary officer,” he stated.
Tinubu added that orientation camps would be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, while state governments would be required to meet minimum operational standards.
Orientation programme extended
The President said the orientation programme would now run for six weeks and focus on preparing corps members for life after national service.
According to him, the programme will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, national values and personal development before moving into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and financial education.
He added that corps members would also receive specialised training aligned with their academic qualifications and career interests.
The identified career streams include agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy and paramilitary or security services.
Tinubu said every corps member should complete the programme with practical skills that enhance employability and self-reliance.
Deployment to prioritise safety
On security, Tinubu said deployment of corps members to security-challenged states would now be guided by detailed risk assessments.
He explained that priority would be given to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within affected states and those from neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.
The President added that the mobilisation process would become technology-driven, while primary assignments would be better matched with each corps member’s academic background, skills and career pathway.
Passing-out parade becomes graduation
Tinubu also announced that the traditional NYSC Passing-Out Parade would be renamed a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the expanded training corps members would receive during service.
He said participants would no longer merely complete national service but would graduate as trained civic and professional contributors to national development.
The President commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for developing the new policy.
He further 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 implement the reforms.
Addressing Nigerian youths, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people, describing them as the driving force behind the country’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
“To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future,” he said.