The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking a significant step toward overhauling the 53-year-old national service scheme.
The development was announced on Monday by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, after the FEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking with State House correspondents, Olawande said the approval would include a full review of the NYSC to align it with Nigeria’s current realities and development priorities.
The minister noted that the NYSC, established in 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, was created to foster national unity and integration by deploying graduates to states other than their own for one year of national service.
According to him, the scheme has, over the past 53 years, contributed significantly to bringing together young Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, thereby strengthening national cohesion.
However, he said the passage of time and changing national needs have made reforms necessary.
“Our needs as a country have changed, and many expect the objectives of the NYSC to also change,” the minister said.
Details to follow…
