By Oscar Okhifo
Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to place the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under civilian leadership, arguing that such a move would erode the discipline and paramilitary tradition that have defined the scheme for decades.
Instead, Sani urged the government to strengthen military training during the NYSC orientation programme, saying Nigeria’s worsening security challenges make such training more necessary than ever.
Reacting on Wednesday through his verified X account to the Federal Government’s proposed overhaul of the scheme, the former lawmaker said while reforming the NYSC was necessary, its military character should not be sacrificed.
“Reforming the NYSC is a good idea but we must not discard that element of military training. The DG of the NYSC should remain a soldier.”
He maintained that the military-oriented structure of the NYSC has remained one of the programme’s defining strengths since its establishment and should be reinforced rather than weakened.
Sani also argued that Nigeria’s current security realities demand more intensive military training for corps members.
“In a nation facing serious security challenges, there is the need for even more rigorous military training at this material time.”
His comments come amid the Federal Government’s far-reaching reform proposals for the NYSC, which include replacing the scheme’s military Director-General with a civilian while retaining the military’s role during orientation camps.
The proposals have generated widespread debate, with many Nigerians welcoming efforts to modernise the scheme and align it with contemporary national development priorities. Others, however, have raised concerns over plans to reduce the military’s influence, review the orientation structure and place the scheme under greater civilian administration.
Critics argue that removing the military leadership of the NYSC could weaken the discipline, order and physical fitness that have long distinguished the orientation programme.
Sani’s intervention echoes those concerns, as he insists that the scheme’s military tradition should be strengthened rather than diminished.
Established in 1973 to foster national unity and integration following the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC combines community service with military-supervised orientation designed to instil discipline, patriotism and national cohesion among young graduates.
The latest reform proposals were unveiled on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting, where the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, briefed journalists on the council’s decisions.
Among the key recommendations is the transformation of orientation camps into modern leadership and development centres, alongside an extension of the orientation programme from the current three weeks to six weeks.
The government also proposed restructuring the NYSC into three phases with 11 specialised career streams, allowing prospective corps members to select a stream during registration based on their academic background, skills and career aspirations.
Under the proposed framework, orientation activities would place greater emphasis on civic responsibility, leadership development, national values, career planning, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance. Participants would also receive specialised practical training tailored to their chosen career paths.
Other proposals include deploying corps members with greater consideration for prevailing security conditions across the country, redesigning the NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride, and renaming the traditional Passing-Out Parade as a Graduation Ceremony.
According to the Federal Government, the reforms are designed to reposition the NYSC to meet present-day realities, equip young graduates with practical and employable skills, and enhance the scheme’s contribution to national development.
As consultations continue, the proposals have reignited nationwide debate over whether the NYSC’s longstanding paramilitary tradition should be preserved or adapted to reflect changing national priorities.
Many stakeholders say the ultimate reforms should strike a balance between preserving the scheme’s core values of discipline, patriotism and national unity while making it more responsive to Nigeria’s evolving developmental and security needs.