The Federal Government has approved the replacement of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of a broad reform of the scheme aimed at promoting local industries and repositioning national service.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the decision on Thursday, explaining that the new uniform would be produced locally to encourage patronage of Nigeria’s textile sector and stimulate the economy.
“It’s Adire. 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,” the minister said.
The uniform change is one of several reforms recently approved for the 53-year-old NYSC programme. Under the new arrangement, corps members will also be deployed based more closely on their academic qualifications and professional skills to ensure their service aligns with their fields of study.
Olawande explained that graduates with teaching qualifications, for example, would be assigned to schools after completing the necessary orientation and career assessment during camp.
“After leaving camp, you are not just posted to a school because NYSC wants you there, but because of the process you followed in camp,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that the government is reviewing the deployment system to allow more corps members to serve in areas where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in states facing security challenges, while maintaining that military personnel will continue to provide security support despite the scheme’s transition to civilian-led administration.