By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu has defended the Federal Government’s sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the overhaul is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and position them to make greater contributions to national development.
The President’s remarks come days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved what the administration has described as the most far-reaching reform of the 53-year-old scheme since its establishment in 1973.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Wednesday, Tinubu said the reforms reflect his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young Nigerians and fulfilling promises made at the start of his presidency.
“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 historic role of the NYSC in promoting national unity over the past five decades but maintained that changing national realities make it necessary to reposition the scheme to meet contemporary needs.
“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,” the President added.
Tinubu said the reforms are intended to preserve the NYSC’s founding objective of fostering national cohesion while expanding its focus to include practical skills acquisition, youth empowerment and enhanced contributions to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
According to him, the revamped scheme is expected to better prepare corps members for life after service by equipping them with competencies that improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and support nation-building.