In a bold move to reshape the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a more impactful national institution, the Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive reform agenda that seeks to transform the scheme into a platform for skill acquisition, job readiness, and national development.
The announcement was made at the 2025 NYSC Annual Management Conference held in Abuja on Monday.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who delivered the keynote address, shared the government’s vision to retool NYSC into a dynamic vehicle for empowering young Nigerians with relevant skills and practical workplace experience.
“Our aim is to move beyond the old model of ceremonial activities,” Olawande said. “The NYSC should be a springboard—an opportunity for young graduates to gain meaningful, certified training, contribute to real projects, and emerge as employable professionals ready to shape the future of this country.”
Titled “Transforming the NYSC Scheme to Meet the Yearnings of the Contemporary Nigerian Graduates and Society,” the conference focused on the need to align the 51-year-old scheme with the current realities and aspirations of young Nigerians.
The proposed reforms, according to Olawande, include:
Improved welfare packages for corps members
Better accommodation and living standards
A fair compensation structure
The introduction of a National Internship Scheme
The launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy, aimed at developing leadership and entrepreneurial skills
READ ALSO: FG Proposes Two-Year NYSC to Deepen Skills, Tackle Unemployment
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director General of the NYSC, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of strategic realignment to meet evolving societal demands.
“This conference is not just a review meeting,” he stated. “It is a strategic recalibration—an opportunity to redesign the scheme to produce graduates that are workforce-ready, innovative, and solution-driven.”
Reactions from stakeholders at the event were largely positive, with many applauding the government’s intent to modernize the scheme.
Key themes that emerged included mentorship, sector-specific programs in education and agriculture, and stronger ties with industry players for on-the-job training opportunities.
If fully implemented, the proposed overhaul could redefine the NYSC experience, shifting it from a symbolic rite of passage into a year of intensive growth and national contribution.
“This is about reimagining service—not as a duty, but as a developmental journey,” Olawande concluded. “We owe it to our youth, and to the future of Nigeria.”