ABUJA- The Federal Government has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), extending the orientation camp from the long-standing three-week programme to six weeks as part of efforts to equip corps members with stronger leadership, entrepreneurial and digital skills.
The decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marking the first comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme since it was established in 1973. The reforms are designed to transform the programme into a more skills-driven and productivity-focused national institution capable of preparing graduates for today’s workforce.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms followed months of consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
According to the minister, the newly approved six-week orientation programme will place greater emphasis on leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and specialised career training, replacing the traditional three-week camp that has been in operation for decades.
Beyond the extension of the orientation exercise, the Federal Government also approved the restructuring of the NYSC into 11 specialised career streams aimed at aligning corps members’ academic qualifications and career interests with national manpower needs.
The reforms also introduce a technology-driven call-up process to improve mobilisation and reduce administrative bottlenecks, while a risk-sensitive deployment system will be adopted to enhance the safety and security of corps members during their service year.
In another major departure from the existing system, the traditional Passing-Out Parade (POP), which officially marks the end of the one-year service, will be replaced with a graduation ceremony. Officials say the new format is intended to reflect the NYSC’s renewed focus on learning, professional development and skills acquisition rather than ceremonial activities.
Also, the government approved new designs for NYSC uniforms to reflect professionalism and national pride, and a national grading and certification system for orientation camps to ensure uniform standards across the country.
Another major aspect of the reform is a shift to civilian operational leadership of the NYSC, with the military providing security support during orientation camps and other official activities.
To facilitate implementation, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to commence amendments to the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the new policy.
The Federal Government described the reforms as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s youth, expressing confidence that the changes will make the NYSC more relevant to national development while improving the employability, innovation and productivity of future corps members.
NYSC Extends Orientation Camp from Three to Six Weeks
