The Federal Government has announced that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will soon wear Adire instead of the scheme’s traditional khaki uniform as part of a wide-ranging reform of the 53-year-old programme.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, explaining that the new uniform is intended to promote local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.
The announcement follows the approval of comprehensive reforms to the NYSC by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this week.
According to the minister, the new Adire uniforms will be produced locally using fabrics sourced from Nigerian textile manufacturers in states such as Ogun and Kwara.
“It’s Adire. Adire is produced in Nigeria. We have it in Ogun, we have it in Kwara, and we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.
Beyond the uniform change, the government said corps members will now be deployed based more closely on their academic qualifications and career aspirations, replacing the existing general posting system.
Olawande explained that graduates trained as teachers, for example, would receive relevant training during the orientation programme before being posted to schools that match their professional backgrounds.
He said the new process would ensure that postings are determined by participants’ skills and training rather than arbitrary placement.
The minister also revealed that the government is reviewing the deployment policy to allow more corps members to serve in states where they studied or are familiar with the environment, especially in areas facing security challenges.
According to him, the measure is expected to reduce requests for redeployment while addressing concerns expressed by parents and prospective corps members over safety.
“If someone is familiar with a particular area or studied there, it makes sense to consider such a person for service in that location instead of posting someone from a completely different region who may later seek redeployment,” he explained.
Olawande also dismissed reports suggesting that the military would no longer be involved in the NYSC scheme, describing such claims as misleading.
He clarified that while the scheme’s operational leadership will now be headed by a civilian, the military will continue to play its longstanding role in providing security and supporting orientation camp activities.
“There is no way the military can be removed completely. What we are doing is moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation, while the military continues its important responsibilities,” he said.
As part of the reforms, the NYSC orientation programme has also been extended from three weeks to six weeks, with greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, vocational training, civic responsibility and employability.
President had earlier said the reforms are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and better prepare them to contribute meaningfully to national development.