President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why his administration approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and prepare them for the country’s evolving economic and development needs.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on Wednesday, the President described the reforms as the most significant overhaul of the NYSC scheme since it was established in 1973.
According to Tinubu, the reforms form part of his administration’s commitment to creating more opportunities for Nigerian youths and ensuring they play a greater role in national development.
“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973.
“On the day I was sworn in as your President, I promised to create meaningful opportunities for our young people. I said women and youth would feature prominently in our administration, and this reform is partly the actualisation of that promise,” he said.
The President acknowledged the role the NYSC has played in promoting national unity over the past five decades but stressed that changing realities require the scheme to evolve.
“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. But the Nigeria of today demands more,” he added.
The reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the NYSC for the future by placing greater emphasis on skills acquisition, youth empowerment and national development.
Tinubu maintained that the overhaul reflects his administration’s broader vision of creating meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians while preserving the NYSC’s original objective of fostering unity across the country.
