By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu
The Federal Government has announced a major overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), replacing the scheme's iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric and introducing a review of its deployment policy to enhance security, improve efficiency and promote Nigeria's textile industry.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the reforms on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief, saying the changes are part of efforts to modernise the 53-year-old national service scheme and make it more impactful.
According to the minister, the decision to adopt Adire as the official NYSC uniform is aimed at supporting local manufacturers and ensuring government spending contributes to the growth of Nigeria's textile industry.
"It's Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let's put our money back into the country," Olawande said.
He noted that the initiative would boost indigenous textile production, create jobs and encourage greater patronage of locally made fabrics.
Beyond the change in uniform, Olawande said the government is introducing a new deployment framework that will ensure corps members are posted based largely on their academic qualifications and professional competencies.
He explained that prospective corps members would undergo a profiling process during orientation camp to determine their skills and areas of expertise before their places of primary assignment are selected.
"After you are leaving the camp, you are not just posted to a school just because NYSC wants you to be in school but because of the process you followed when in camp. So, that is going to give a framework of where you are going to be posted to," he said.
The minister also revealed that the government is reviewing the NYSC deployment policy to improve the security of corps members by posting many of them to states or regions where they studied or are familiar with the environment.
He said those interested in serving outside their familiar geographical zones would still be allowed to do so voluntarily.
"If you have interest that you want to go to the North-East why not, but if you don't have interest, instead of redeploying you, paying people for camp, doing all those funny things, we said no, let us look at it and say who are those in that area, that can reside in those geographical areas and still give us the kind of number we are looking for since we are saying NYSC should be more impactful. So, that is what we are talking about," Olawande stated.
According to him, the new approach will reduce the need for redeployments after orientation camp, lower administrative costs and ensure corps members serve in locations where they can contribute more effectively while remaining safe.
Addressing speculation over the role of the military in the scheme, the minister dismissed reports that the armed forces would be removed from NYSC operations. He clarified that while the scheme's administration would continue to be led by civilians, the military would retain its responsibility for providing security and support, particularly during orientation camps.
The reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, marking the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since it was established in 1973 to foster national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.
To provide the necessary legal backing for the reforms, the FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to commence amendments to the NYSC Act.
The Federal Government said the reform package is intended to reposition the NYSC for contemporary realities by strengthening its contribution to national development, enhancing corps members' welfare and safety, and ensuring the scheme delivers greater value to both participants and the country.
Comments
Post a Comment