By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has confirmed that the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace the scheme’s traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of efforts to promote local production and strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry.
Olawande disclosed this on Thursday, 2July, 2026 during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he highlighted key components of the comprehensive NYSC reforms recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Explaining the decision, the minister said the new uniform would be produced locally to ensure government spending supports indigenous manufacturers.
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” he said.
The minister also revealed that corps members would henceforth be deployed based on their academic qualifications and professional competencies.
According to him, graduates with education-related qualifications, for instance, would be posted to schools in line with their training, replacing the current system where postings are not always based on areas of specialisation.
“After leaving camp, you are not just posted to a school because NYSC wants you to be there, but because of the process you followed in camp. That is going to provide a framework for where you will be posted,” he said.
On security, Olawande said the government was considering deploying corps members to areas where they studied or are familiar with the environment, particularly in states facing security challenges.
“If we have a particular area facing insecurity, instead of forcing people or creating unnecessary anxiety for parents, we should identify those who studied there, know the terrain and can comfortably serve there,” he said.
He added that corps members willing to serve in any part of the country would still be given the opportunity.
“If you have an interest in serving in the North-East, why not? But if you don’t, instead of redeploying you after camp and spending public funds, we should deploy those who are familiar with those geographical areas. That is what we are talking about,” he added.
The Minister also dismissed reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing the claim as a misconception.
“We are not taking the military out of NYSC. There is no way you can take the military away. What we are saying is that we are moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” he said.
He clarified that while the scheme’s operational leadership would be headed by a civilian, the military would continue to provide security for corps members nationwide.
Olawande noted that the reforms followed Monday’s approval by the Federal Executive Council of the most comprehensive restructuring of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
He added that the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development had been directed to amend the NYSC Act and related regulations to facilitate implementation of the reforms.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at repositioning the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-oriented and youth-empowerment institution in line with the Federal Government’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
