By The Metro 
The Federal Government has unveiled major reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing 11 specialised career streams, extending the orientation camp from three weeks to six weeks and replacing the traditional Passing Out Parade with a graduation ceremony.
The changes were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday as part of what the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja, alongside Olawande, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, explained that the reform would change how corps members are trained, deployed and recognised throughout the service year.
11 Career Streams For Corps Members
Under the new arrangement, every prospective corps member will choose one of 11 specialised streams during registration.
The streams are:
- Agric Corps
- Medical Corps
- Education Corps
- Tech and Digital Corps
- Legal Corps
- Public Service Corps
- Infrastructure Corps
- Green Corps
- Enterprise Corps
- Creative Economy Corps
- Paramilitary and Security Corps
Usman said corps members would receive training based on their selected stream, academic background and skills. For example, anyone who chooses the Medical Corps will be recognised and trained as a member of that stream during orientation.
According to her, the specialised streams are intended to provide graduates with practical skills that match their career interests and the country’s workforce needs.
Orientation Camp Extended To Six Weeks
The orientation programme will now last six weeks instead of three.
The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, leadership development and national values.
During the next two weeks, corps members will receive training in career mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance.
“And then we intend to introduce a structured career day programme to enable COP members engage directly with the public,” Usman stated.
The final two weeks will be used for specialised training based on each corps member’s chosen stream.
Deployment To Reflect Security Situation
The Federal Government also approved changes to the deployment process, with security conditions across different parts of the country becoming a major consideration when posting corps members.
Usman said the decision aligns with the broader risk-sensitive deployment plan earlier announced by Olawande.
Civilian To Head NYSC
Another major change is that the NYSC will now be led by a civilian instead of a military officer.
Despite the leadership change, the military will continue providing security for corps members across the country.
Usman said the move is part of the administration’s efforts to develop the human capital needed to support a $1 trillion economy.
New Uniform, Graduation Ceremony
The reform also introduces a new NYSC uniform, replacing the outfit that has been used since the scheme was created.
Olawande said the redesigned uniform would reflect professionalism and national pride.
The traditional Passing Out Parade will also be replaced with a graduation ceremony.
In addition, all orientation camps across the country will be assessed under a national grading and certification system aimed at improving and standardising camp facilities and operations.
Legal Backing Planned
Usman said the reform covers key aspects of the NYSC, including registration, deployment, camp duration and the recognition of corps members’ skills.
To implement the changes, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations.