THE COMMITTEE of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) has commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande following the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of comprehensive reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Director-General of CYMS, Chief Obinna Nwaka, made the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to the approved reforms, describing the decision as a landmark achievement in the Scheme’s 53-year history.
Nwaka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the reforms represented the first holistic review of the NYSC since its establishment.
He said that it reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the Scheme to meet contemporary national development needs.
“The reforms are designed to preserve the NYSC’s enduring legacy of fostering national unity.
“They are also aimed at transforming the Scheme into a modern, skills-driven and productivity-focused institution capable of preparing Nigerian youths for opportunities in an increasingly competitive global economy,” he added.
Nwaka said the reforms were in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
This, he said, were through the empowerment of young Nigerians with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity and digital competencies.
Nwaka listed the approved reforms to include a technology-driven call-up process aimed at improving deployment efficiency and full digitalisation of mobilisation procedures.
He added that the reforms also introduced risk-sensitive deployment measures to enhance the safety and security of corps members across the country.
According to him, the orientation programme has been redesigned into a six-week exercise with greater emphasis on leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and specialised career development.
The CYMS director-general said FEC also approved skills-based deployment of corps members to places of primary assignment that align with their academic qualifications and career aspirations.
He said the reforms further provided for a modern governance structure featuring civilian operational leadership with military support for security-related responsibilities.
Nwaka added that orientation camps would be upgraded through a national grading and certification system to improve infrastructure, welfare and service delivery.
He said the reforms also approved the replacement of the traditional Passing Out Parade with a graduation ceremony and the redesign of the NYSC uniform as part of efforts to modernise the Scheme.
The CYMS boss disclosed that the reform process commenced in 2025 through collaboration among 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.
He also welcomed the directive by FEC mandating the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and its regulations to provide the legal framework for implementing the reforms.
Describing the approval as a major milestone for youth development and national integration, Nwaka urged stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the reforms.
He expressed optimism that the changes would strengthen the NYSC’s role as a catalyst for nation-building, youth empowerment and national development while making the Scheme more responsive to the aspirations of young Nigerians and the country’s evolving socio-economic realities. (NAN)
