FEC approves NYSC reforms including six-week orientation, civilian leadership and new uniform

The recent proposed reforms for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, is attracting divergent views from prospective corps members. DAILY POST reports that the Federal Government is proposing the extension of the orientation course for corps members from the original three weeks to six weeks. According to the Federal Government, the reform is aimed at […] NYSC: Mixed reactions trail FG’s proposed reform

When the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, was established in 1973, Nigeria was emerging from the trauma of a civil war that had threatened its unity.  The post From military to civiliaan leadership: NANS, others diagnose NYSC reforms, corps members employability, other goals appeared first on Vanguard News.

 President Bola Tinubu has announced that, as part of the newly approved reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the scheme will henceforth be headed by a civilian Director-General instead of a military officer.   The President also disclosed that the NYSC orientation programme will be extended to six weeks, with every corps member expected to complete the scheme better equipped for employment, entrepreneurship and national service.   Recall that the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, briefed journalists after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on the far-reaching reforms approved for the NYSC, which was established in 1973.   In a post on his verified X account, @ABAT, on Wednesday, President Tinubu said his administration is repositioning the NYSC into a platform for national development while strengthening its governance, standards and dignity.   He wrote: “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.   “For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. “But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed. They are the engine of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation.”   Explaining the rationale behind the reforms, the President said the government is transforming the NYSC from a mobilisation scheme into a national development platform focused on skills acquisition, employability, productivity, and entrepreneurship.   “The NYSC orientation programme will now become a six-week journey.   “It will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development. It will then move into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial skills. Finally, corps members will receive specialised training aligned with their academic background and career pathway.   “These streams will include agriculture, health, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and paramilitary/security service.   “Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service.”   On the safety of corps members, Tinubu said deployment to security-challenged states would be based on risk assessment.   “We are also making the NYSC Scheme safer and smarter.   “Deployment to security-challenged states will be guided by risk assessment. It will prioritise indigenes, residents, and graduates of institutions in those states, as well as those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.   “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.”   The President further stated that the scheme would now be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who would be a military or paramilitary officer.   “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.   “Orientation camps will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, while states will be expected to meet minimum standards.   “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.”   President Tinubu commended the officials involved in developing the reform package.   “I commend the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; my Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; the Federal Ministry of Education; and the members of the Reform Committee for their work.   “I have directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to commence the process of amending the NYSC Act and subsidiary regulations.   “To every young Nigerian: this nation believes in you. We are building a country worthy of your talent, your ambition and your future.”  

….Orientation programme extended to six weeks ….Deployment to security-challenged states to be guided by risk assessment ....Corps members to receive specialised training aligned with academic background, career paths By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has announced that, as part of the newly approved reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the scheme […] The post NYSC ‘ll be led by civilian DG, not military — Tinubu appeared first on Vanguard News.

The federal government has approved a sweeping overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, splitting the orientation programme into three distinct phases and introducing 11 specialised career streams from which corps members will choose at registration, according to details provided by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy coordination, on Monday. The post Full List: NYSC’s new reforms, from Civilian DG to fresh uniforms appeared first on Vanguard News.

 The federal executive council (FEC) has approved a civilian leadership structure and new uniform for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in seven key reforms to reposition the scheme for greater efficiency.   Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, told State House correspondents on Monday after the weekly FEC meeting that the council maintained the scheme’s one‑year duration and introduced skills‑based training.   Other reforms, according to him, include digitalisation and change of leadership structure from military to civilians, among other measures to reposition the scheme for national development.   The minister said the reforms are the first major review of the NYSC since its creation in 1973, noting that they were developed through consultations with the ministries of youth development and education as well as the office of the special adviser to the president on policy coordination.     He said the reforms aim to strengthen national unity, boost skills development, create jobs and empower youth across the country.   “The approved reforms will reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy,” Olawande said.   “Some of the landmark reforms include a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, and a redesigned six-week orientation programme with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams.     “Skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways; modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support.”   The reform also includes “improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, a new graduation ceremony to replace passing out parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”   Hadiza Bala-Usman, special adviser to the president on policy coordination, said specialised cohorts, including a proposed digital corps, may undergo additional training to obtain professional certifications before deployment, improving employability and prospects for self‑employment.   She noted that NYSC will remain a civilian‑led scheme while the military will continue to provide security for corps members.     FEC directed Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, in conjunction with the ministry of youth development, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to enable immediate implementation of the approved measures.