FG Confirms Adire Fabric to Replace NYSC Khaki Uniform Under New Reforms

The Federal Government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of a wide-ranging reform of the scheme recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the announcement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief, saying the initiative is designed to promote indigenous textile production and boost the nation's economy.

According to the minister, the production of the new uniforms will rely on local manufacturers, particularly in states known for Adire and textile production.

"It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have a textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country," Olawande said.

Corps Members to Be Posted Based on Qualifications. Olawande also disclosed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would introduce a more strategic deployment system that aligns corps members' postings with their academic backgrounds and professional qualifications.

He explained that graduates trained in education, for instance, would be posted to schools and other relevant institutions based on their qualifications rather than through the current random deployment process.

"After you are leaving the camp, you are not just posted to a school just because NYSC wants you to be in school but because of the process you followed when in camp. So, that is going to give a framework of where you are going to be posted to," he said.

Deployment Policy to Reflect Security Concerns

The minister further revealed that the government is considering a deployment policy that gives preference to posting corps members to regions where they studied or are already familiar with the environment, particularly in areas facing security challenges.

He said the approach is intended to reduce concerns among parents and prospective corps members while ensuring more practical and effective deployments.

"If we have a particular area that is having insecurity, instead of probably forcing people or parents to start talking, we must also give them an opportunity that 'okay, who are those in that area, that schooled in that area, that know much about that area?'

"If you have interest that you want to go to the North-East, why not? But if you don’t have interest, instead of redeploying you, let us look at who are those in that area that can reside in those geographical areas and still give us the kind of number we are looking for," he added.

Military to Continue Supporting NYSC

Addressing reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, Olawande dismissed the claims as misleading.

He clarified that while the scheme will transition to civilian leadership, the military will continue to provide security support during orientation camps and other NYSC activities.

"We are not taking the military out of NYSC. There is no way you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation," he said.

Comprehensive Reform of the Scheme

The reforms follow Monday's approval by the Federal Executive Council of what the government describes as the most extensive overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago.

As part of the implementation process, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide the necessary legal framework for the reforms.

Under the new structure, the NYSC will operate under civilian leadership, while the military will retain responsibility for security operations during orientation camps and other programme activities.

The Federal Government said the reforms are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused youth development institution capable of supporting its vision of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy.