NYSC Reforms: Corps Members to Wear Adire Uniforms – Minister

The Federal Government has announced that members of the National Youth Service Corps will, under the ongoing reforms of the scheme, replace the traditional khaki uniform with Adire attire as part of efforts to promote indigenous production and strengthen the local economy.

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The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief, where he outlined key aspects of the reforms recently approved for the 53-year-old scheme.

According to the minister, the decision to adopt Adire is intended to ensure government spending supports Nigerian manufacturers and the country's textile industry.

He said Adire is produced locally in states such as Ogun and Kwara, stressing that patronising indigenous producers would help retain government expenditure within the nation's economy.

Olawande also revealed that corps members would increasingly be deployed based on their academic backgrounds and professional qualifications under the new framework.

He explained that graduates with education-related qualifications, for example, would be posted to schools because of their training rather than through the existing system, where postings are often not linked to areas of specialisation.

The minister said the deployment process would begin during orientation camp, with participants providing relevant information that would guide their eventual places of primary assignment.

He further stated that the government was considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges.

According to him, the approach is expected to ease the concerns of parents and prospective corps members while improving the effectiveness of the deployment process.

Olawande noted that those willing to serve in other regions would still have the opportunity to do so, but said the revised system would minimise unnecessary redeployments and make the scheme more impactful.

The minister also dismissed reports suggesting that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing the claim as a misunderstanding.

He clarified that although the scheme's operational leadership would be headed by a civilian under the reforms, the military would continue to play its traditional role in ensuring the security of corps members nationwide.

The reforms followed the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council on Monday for a comprehensive restructuring of the NYSC, marking the first major overhaul of the programme since its establishment in 1973.

As part of the implementation process, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to accommodate the approved changes.

The Federal Government said the reforms are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth empowerment institution capable of supporting its vision of building a $1tn economy.