The Federal Government has announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its long-standing khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening local industries and modernising the scheme.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the new uniform policy is designed to promote indigenous textile production and ensure government spending supports Nigerian manufacturers, noting that Adire is produced in states such as Ogun and Kwara.

The minister also revealed that corps members will now be deployed according to their academic qualifications and professional skills. Graduates with teaching backgrounds, for instance, will be posted to schools, replacing the previous system where postings were often unrelated to areas of expertise.

According to him, the restructuring will establish a clearer framework that aligns corps members’ postings with the training and orientation they receive during the NYSC camp.

Addressing security concerns, Olawande said the government is considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are already familiar with the environment, particularly in areas facing security challenges. He explained that the measure is intended to reduce anxiety among parents and participants while making deployments more practical and effective.

The minister also clarified that reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC are inaccurate. He explained that although the scheme’s operational leadership will become civilian-led under the approved reforms, the military will continue to provide security support and remain actively involved in the programme.

The reforms follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, which includes amending the NYSC Act to reposition the scheme as a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution aligned with the Federal Government’s broader economic development agenda.