In a move aimed at repositioning the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for modern challenges, the Federal Government has inaugurated a high-level committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the scheme.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday in Abuja, is in response to growing public concern over the safety of corps members, deteriorating infrastructure at orientation camps, and debates about the scheme’s current relevance in a changing economic landscape.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who presided over the event, acknowledged the NYSC’s historical role in fostering national cohesion and youth development since its inception in 1973. However, he noted that the time had come to confront pressing issues and rethink how the programme operates.
“These challenges ranging from safety concerns to infrastructural deficiencies also offer a unique chance to innovate and build a more effective, impactful system,” Olawande said.
The committee is expected to examine existing NYSC policies, gather public input nationwide, and recommend reforms that align with Nigeria’s broader development goals. Their mandate also includes suggesting improvements in how the scheme is managed, financed, and evaluated.
As part of the government’s broader youth empowerment strategy, Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced plans to launch two new service corps tailored to address sector-specific shortages—particularly in education and healthcare.
According to Alausa, the proposed Teachers’ Corps will target graduates from colleges of education and be deployed to underserved schools, offering a direct path to permanent employment in the public education sector. The Medical Corps, on the other hand, will be composed of trained healthcare workers ready to serve in rural and hard-to-reach communities, with an emphasis on improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Also speaking at the inauguration, Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, emphasized the importance of vocational and technical training as part of the NYSC reform agenda. She said strengthening these areas would equip Nigerian youth with practical skills necessary for sustainable community development and economic participation.
The committee is expected to deliver its final recommendations to the Minister of Youth Development within a stipulated timeframe.
