By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the aim of transforming the scheme into a more strategic tool for youth empowerment, national development, and security.
The move was announced on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of a high-level review committee tasked with evaluating and repositioning the 51-year-old programme. The committee includes representatives from government ministries, civil society, and the private sector.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the review is driven by growing concerns over the safety of corps members, outdated infrastructure, and the scheme’s relevance in modern Nigeria.
“The NYSC has been a pillar of national unity and youth engagement since 1973. However, the current realities demand urgent, bold reforms to ensure it remains effective and impactful,” Olawande said at the event.
He emphasized the need to reimagine the scheme to meet Nigeria’s socio-economic needs and revealed that the government is considering introducing specialized corps units focused on education and healthcare—particularly a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps.
The committee will assess the operational structure of NYSC and make recommendations to enhance corps members’ security, deploy their skills more effectively, and align the scheme with national development goals.
“The outcome must help us reposition the NYSC as a driver of innovation, service, and nation-building,” the minister stated.
