The Federal Government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of a comprehensive reform designed to modernise the scheme and promote indigenous industries.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative is aimed at boosting local textile production and ensuring government spending supports Nigerian manufacturers.
“It’s Adire, and Adire is produced in Nigeria. We have producers in Ogun and Kwara, alongside our textile industries. It’s time we invested our resources back into the country’s economy,” the minister said.
Beyond the uniform change, Olawande revealed that corps members will now be deployed based on their academic qualifications and areas of professional expertise. For example, graduates with education-related degrees will be posted to schools, ensuring their skills are effectively utilised during their service year.
The minister also disclosed that the government is considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges. He explained that the move would help address safety concerns, reduce unnecessary redeployments, and improve the overall impact of the scheme.
Addressing speculation that the military would be removed from the NYSC, Olawande described the reports as inaccurate. He clarified that while the scheme’s operational leadership will be headed by a civilian, the military will continue to provide security and play its established role in the programme.
The reforms follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a sweeping overhaul of the NYSC—the first major restructuring of the scheme in more than five decades. The changes are expected to transform the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused, and youth-empowerment institution that aligns with the Federal Government’s economic development agenda.
