The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to implement major reforms in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aiming to modernize the scheme, enhance its impact, and better serve the needs of Nigerian youths.
The move comes amid growing concerns about the safety of corps members, outdated infrastructure, and questions around the relevance of the NYSC in today’s socio-economic climate.
The committee was formally inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, drawing participation from stakeholders in government, civil society, and the private sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, acknowledged the NYSC’s historic importance in fostering unity and youth development since its inception in 1973.
However, he emphasized the urgent need for reform.
He said, “The issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic environment are among the key concerns.
However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.”
Olawande added that the committee’s mandate includes rethinking the structure and function of the NYSC to ensure it becomes a more secure, innovative, and effective instrument of national development.
“The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” he noted.
The committee will assess current NYSC operations, engage stakeholders nationwide, and recommend changes to its policies, legal framework, funding mechanisms, and monitoring systems.
The final report is expected to be delivered to the Youth Development Ministry within a specified period.
At the same event, Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced government plans to introduce a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps.
These initiatives will target NCE graduates and healthcare workers willing to serve in rural communities.
He said, “The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and create a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.”
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, underlined the importance of strengthening vocational and technical training.
“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” Usman said.
