…Says initiative will boost local textile industry and strengthen Nigerian economy
The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the traditional khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with locally produced Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting indigenous industries.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the initiative is designed to stimulate local textile production and ensure government expenditure supports the Nigerian economy.
According to the minister, the production of Adire fabrics within the country presents an opportunity to strengthen the local textile industry and create more economic value.
“It is Adire. Adire is produced in Nigeria. We have producers in Ogun and Kwara states, and we have a growing textile industry. Let us invest our resources back into our country,” Olawande said.
The minister also revealed that, under the proposed reforms, corps members would increasingly be deployed according to their academic disciplines and professional qualifications.
He explained that graduates of education, for instance, would be posted to schools, while other professionals would be deployed to establishments relevant to their fields of study.
“After leaving the orientation camp, corps members will no longer be posted arbitrarily. Your deployment will reflect the process and information provided during orientation, ensuring that your skills and qualifications are better utilised,” he stated.
Speaking on security, Olawande said the government was considering a deployment policy that would allow prospective corps members to serve in regions where they studied or are already familiar with the environment, particularly in areas experiencing security challenges.
He noted that the arrangement would help address the concerns of parents and prospective corps members while making the deployment process more efficient.
“If you are interested in serving in the North-East, you are free to do so. However, if you are not, rather than allowing unnecessary redeployments after camp, we are considering assigning corps members to geographical areas they are familiar with while still achieving the objectives of the scheme,” he said.
The minister also dismissed reports suggesting that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception.
He clarified that while the operational leadership of the scheme would be headed by a civilian under the proposed reforms, the military would continue to play its traditional role in providing security support during orientation camps and other NYSC activities.
The proposed changes followed the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of a comprehensive reform of the NYSC, marking the most significant overhaul of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.
As part of the reforms, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to initiate amendments to the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to accommodate the new policy framework.
The Federal Government said the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC more impactful by strengthening skills development, improving deployment procedures, enhancing security, promoting local content and ensuring the scheme contributes more effectively to national development
