FEC approves a major NYSC reform with civilian leadership, 11 career streams, a new orientation camp structure and skill-focused training for corps members.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the biggest NYSC reform since the scheme started in 1973. The new changes will reshape how the National Youth Service Corps operates. They are designed to make the scheme more useful for young Nigerians and the country’s economy.
NYSC Will Now Be Led By A Civilian
One major change is that the NYSC will now be led by a civilian instead of a serving military officer. However, the military will still provide security for corps members across Nigeria. To make the changes official, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations.
The Federal Government says the reform will turn the NYSC into a skill-driven and productivity-focused programme. According to the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the plan supports Nigeria’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.
She explained that the scheme will now place more attention on youth empowerment and workforce development. “NYSC needs to be repositioned as a civilian-led, skill-oriented, productivity-driven and youth-empowering national body,” she said. Besides that, the government will also review registration, deployment, posting and security considerations for corps members.
The New Orientation Camp Structure
Another major highlight is the new orientation camp structure. The camp will now focus on practical learning instead of only drills and lectures. During the first two weeks, corps members will learn civic responsibility, national values and leadership. The next two weeks will cover career planning, financial literacy, business development and access to funding.
A structured career day will also connect corps members with employers and business opportunities. Finally, the last two weeks will provide training based on each person’s chosen career stream.
Graduates will pick one of 11 streams after registration. These include;
Agric Corps
Medical Corps
Education Corps
Tech and Digital Corps
Legal Corps
Public Service Corps
Infrastructure Corps
Green Corps
Enterprise Corps
Creative Economy Corps and
Paramilitary and Security Corps.
The government believes this new structure will prepare young graduates with practical skills before they begin their service year. It will also improve how corps members are posted, especially in areas with security concerns. Although the NYSC’s daily operations will move to civilian leadership, the military will continue protecting corps members nationwide.
The NYSC was created on May 22, 1973, after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national unity among young Nigerians. Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu currently heads the scheme. However, that will change after the amended law takes effect. If fully implemented, this reform could become the biggest transformation in the history of the NYSC and reshape the experience of future corps members
