FG to Put Civilians in Charge of NYSC, Extends Camp to 6 Weeks in Major Overhaul

By Victor Idajili

The Federal Executive Council has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps, ending military-led operations, extending orientation camp, and repositioning the scheme to focus on skills and jobs. 

The changes were approved at Monday’s FEC meeting in Abuja. It’s the first major review of the NYSC since it was created 53 years ago in 1973. 

What changes under the new plan
Civilian leadership: The NYSC will now be headed by civilians. The military will remain involved, but only to provide security for corps members nationwide. 
Longer, revamped orientation: Camp will move from three weeks to six weeks, with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and career-specific training. 
Law to back it: The Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development will amend the NYSC Act and other regulations to legalize the reforms. 

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, told reporters at the Presidential Villa that the goal is to turn the NYSC into a productivity-focused institution that supports President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy agenda. 

Other key reforms he announced: 
Tech-driven call-up and “risk-sensitive” deployment to better protect corps members.
Skills-based primary assignments matched to each corps member’s course of study and career goals.Graded orientation camps under a new national certification system for better facilities.
New graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade 
Redesigned NYSC uniform to reflect professionalism and national pride 

Olawande said consultations with the Ministries of Youth and Education, plus the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, began in 2025. 

“This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset — our young people,” he said. 

 
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said corps members will now be posted according to their academic background, skills, and interests across 11 specialized streams. These include agriculture, education, medical services, technology and digital services, legal services, public service, infrastructure, green economy, enterprise, creative economy, and paramilitary/security. 

The new 6-week camp breakdown
Weeks 1–2: Civic responsibility, national values, and leadership 
Weeks 3–4: Financial literacy, business planning, career development, and access to finance 
Weeks 5–6: Specialized training in each corps member’s chosen stream.

Created after the civil war to foster national unity, the NYSC is now being repositioned to play a bigger role in youth empowerment and economic development.