Tinubu defends sweeping overhaul of Nigeria's youth service
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has defended a sweeping overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, describing the reforms as the most significant since the scheme was established in 1973.
Writing on his official X account, Tinubu said the changes — approved by the Federal Executive Council — were designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve their employability and position them as drivers of national development.
Under the reforms, the NYSC orientation programme will run for six weeks, beginning with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development, before moving on to career readiness, entrepreneurship, and digital and financial literacy. Training will be tailored to corps members' academic backgrounds and career paths.
The overhaul also introduces new safety measures. Deployment to security-challenged states will be based on risk assessments and will prioritise people with ties to those states or neighbouring areas within the same geopolitical zone, addressing long-standing concerns about the safety of young graduates sent far from home.
The NYSC, a rite of passage for Nigerian graduates, has faced criticism in recent years over its relevance and the risks facing corps members in insecure regions. The government says the reforms are intended to modernise the programme for current economic realities.
