FG Replaces NYSC Khaki Uniform With Adire as New Reforms Take Effect

 The Federal Government has announced that the NYSC Adire uniform will replace the iconic khaki outfit worn by corps members as part of the comprehensive reforms recently approved for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). 

Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande disclosed the development on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, explaining that the decision is aimed at promoting local production and ensuring government spending benefits Nigeria’s economy.

The announcement follows the approval of far-reaching NYSC reforms by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this week, marking the most significant overhaul of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.

Speaking on the new NYSC Adire uniform, Olawande said the fabric will be sourced entirely from Nigerian textile manufacturers.

According to him, Adire is already produced in states such as Ogun and Kwara, adding that supporting local textile industries will help create jobs and strengthen the country’s economy.

The minister also revealed that corps members will now be posted based more closely on their academic qualifications, professional skills and career aspirations rather than the existing general deployment system.

He explained that graduates trained as teachers, for example, will undergo specialised training during the orientation programme before being deployed to schools where their skills are most needed.

Under the new framework, postings will be determined by the training and career pathway each corps member follows during orientation camp, making the scheme more relevant to participants’ professional development.

On security, Olawande said the Federal Government is reviewing the deployment policy to allow more corps members to serve in states where they studied or areas they are familiar with, especially in regions facing security challenges.

He noted that the new approach is expected to reduce the number of redeployment requests while addressing concerns frequently raised by parents and prospective corps members regarding safety.

The minister also dismissed reports suggesting that the military would be removed entirely from the NYSC programme.

According to him, the reforms simply shift the scheme from military-style mobilisation to civilian-led administration, while the armed forces will continue to provide security and support during orientation camps and other NYSC activities.

“The military is not being taken away. There is no way you can remove the military completely. We are only moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” he explained.

As part of the broader reforms, the NYSC orientation programme has been extended from three weeks to six weeks, with increased emphasis on entrepreneurship, vocational skills, digital literacy, civic responsibility and employability.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier stated that the reforms are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve career opportunities and prepare corps members to contribute more effectively to national development.