President Bola Tinubu has explained why his administration approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to better prepare young Nigerians for the future.
The President made the clarification in a statement shared on his verified X account on Wednesday, following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the reforms earlier this week.
According to Tinubu, the initiative is aimed at equipping corps members with practical skills while creating more opportunities for youth participation in national development.
Reforms tied to campaign promise
Tinubu said the decision reflects a commitment he made at the start of his administration to place young people and women at the centre of government policies.
He noted that the newly approved reforms represent one of the most significant overhauls of the NYSC scheme since it was established in 1973.
The President added that empowering Nigerian youths remains a key priority of his administration as it seeks to expand economic opportunities across the country.
Government seeks modern approach
While acknowledging the NYSC’s longstanding role in promoting national unity, Tinubu said Nigeria’s changing social and economic realities require a more modern approach.
He stressed that the programme’s unifying objective would remain intact, but argued that it must also evolve to meet the needs of today’s young graduates.
The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, are expected to reposition the NYSC to better support skills development and national growth.