The Federal Government has inaugurated a high-level reform committee to undertake a comprehensive review and restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), signaling a major step toward repositioning the scheme to better meet the nation’s development goals and the aspirations of Nigerian youths.
The inauguration, held at the Ministry of Youth Development headquarters in Abuja, brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the NYSC’s critical role in promoting national unity and youth empowerment since its establishment in 1973. However, he stressed the need to modernize the scheme to reflect present-day realities.
“It is time to reassess the NYSC in light of today’s socio-economic challenges,” Olawande said. “From the safety of corps members to infrastructure gaps and questions around the scheme’s continued relevance, we must urgently and boldly act to reform the system.”
He noted that the Committee’s core mandate is to conduct a thorough assessment of NYSC’s operations and recommend reforms that will make the scheme more secure, innovative, and impactful. The outcome, he added, must align with broader national development strategies, positioning the NYSC as a key instrument for youth empowerment and nation-building.
The Committee’s terms of reference include:
Reviewing existing policies, reports, and legal frameworks governing the NYSC;
Conducting stakeholder engagements and nationwide consultations;
Recommending updates to the NYSC Act and operational guidelines;
Proposing a sustainable model for funding, monitoring, and evaluation;
Submitting a comprehensive reform report to the Ministry within a stipulated timeframe.
Also present at the event, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, proposed the establishment of two specialized corps programs: a Teachers’ Corps for NCE-certified graduates and a Medical Corps for healthcare professionals. These programs, which would run on an optional two-year basis, are aimed at addressing gaps in rural education and healthcare delivery.
According to Alausa, the Teachers’ Corps would help bridge learning disparities in underserved regions while offering a pathway to government employment. The Medical Corps, on the other hand, would strengthen service delivery in remote communities, particularly in areas such as maternal and child health.
In her remarks, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, called for a realignment of technical and vocational training with formal education. She stressed that integrating practical skills into academic pathways would empower Nigerian youth to become more productive and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
The inauguration of the NYSC Reform Committee marks a pivotal moment in the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to youth development and institutional reform.
