FG Confirms End of NYSC Khaki as Adire Becomes New Official Uniform

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

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the development on Thursday during an appearance on a televised interview, saying the initiative is aimed at promoting local manufacturing and boosting the Nigerian economy.

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

The minister also revealed that corps members will increasingly be posted based on their academic qualifications and areas of specialization under the ongoing restructuring of the scheme.

He explained that graduates with education-related degrees would be deployed to schools, replacing the current practice of posting corps members without considering their professional backgrounds.

According to him, the new deployment framework will be determined during orientation camp to ensure corps members are assigned to organisations that match their skills.

Olawande further disclosed that the government is considering deploying prospective corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.

He said the proposal would reduce safety concerns raised by parents and prospective corps members while making the deployment process more practical and impactful.

Addressing reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, the minister dismissed the claims as a misconception.

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

He clarified that while the operational leadership of the scheme will be headed by a civilian, the military will continue to play its role in providing security for corps members nationwide.

The reforms follow the approval by the Federal Executive Council on Monday of the first comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago.

As part of the reform, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to accommodate the changes.

The Federal Government said the reforms are designed to transform the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth empowerment institution that supports its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.