President Bola Tinubu has announced that the deployment of National Youth Service Corps members to states facing security challenges will now be determined through comprehensive risk assessments as part of the Federal Government’s sweeping reforms of the NYSC scheme.
The President said the new policy is designed to place the safety and welfare of corps members at the centre of the deployment process while preserving the core objective of the NYSC, which is to promote national unity and integration.
According to Tinubu, deployments to states experiencing security concerns will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within those states and participants from neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone whenever necessary. He explained that this approach would significantly reduce unnecessary exposure to security risks while ensuring that the scheme continues to serve its national purpose. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The President disclosed that the deployment process will also become technology driven, making it more transparent and efficient. He added that primary places of assignment will now be aligned with corps members’ academic qualifications, career aspirations and professional skills to improve their overall experience and productivity during service.
Tinubu further revealed that the NYSC orientation programme will now run for six weeks instead of the previous three weeks. The expanded programme will focus on civic responsibility, leadership development, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial education and specialised career training tailored to various professional fields including agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the creative industry and the green economy.
As part of the broader reforms, the President announced that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director General, replacing the long standing practice of appointing military officers to lead the scheme. The civilian leadership will be supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director drawn from the military or paramilitary to strengthen security coordination.
Tinubu described the reforms as the most significant changes to the NYSC since its establishment in 1973, saying they are aimed at transforming the scheme into a platform that prepares young Nigerians for employment, entrepreneurship and national development. He stressed that with young people making up nearly 70 percent of Nigeria’s population, the country must equip them with practical skills and opportunities that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
