The Federal Government has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing sweeping changes aimed at transforming the scheme into a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution.

The approval was granted on Monday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Among the key changes approved are the replacement of military leadership with a civilian Director-General, the restructuring of the one-year service scheme into 11 specialised skills-based streams, the extension of orientation camp activities from three weeks to six weeks, and plans to amend the NYSC Act to provide legal backing for the reforms.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the reform followed a comprehensive review initiated in 2025 to address challenges confronting the scheme.

According to him, the NYSC, established in 1973 to promote national unity after the civil war, must evolve to meet current national development needs.

“Our review identified several challenges, including outdated laws, weak connections between education and employment opportunities, and concerns about the safety and welfare of corps members,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, described the overhaul as the first holistic reform of the scheme in its 53-year history.

She said the reforms are designed to reposition the NYSC as a civilian-led, skill-oriented and youth-empowering institution capable of contributing to the administration’s goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Under the new structure, corps members will be required to choose from 11 specialised streams upon registration. These include Agriculture, Medical, Education, Technology and Digital, Legal, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.

Usman explained that the orientation camp programme would now run for six weeks and be divided into three phases. The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values and leadership development. The second phase will cover career development, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance, while the final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s chosen stream.

She added that corps members enrolled in streams requiring extended certification programmes, particularly in the digital sector, may remain in training for periods ranging from three to six months before deployment.

As part of the reforms, the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a graduation ceremony, while the NYSC uniform will be redesigned to reflect a more professional identity.

The new management structure will feature a civilian Director-General supported by three Executive Directors, while security operations will remain under the supervision of military and paramilitary personnel.

Addressing concerns about security, Usman said the military would continue to play a critical role in protecting corps members across the country, even as administrative leadership shifts to civilians.

“The operational leadership of NYSC will be civilian-led, while security will continue to be anchored and implemented by the Nigerian military,” she said.

The Federal Government has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to commence amendments to the NYSC Act and related regulations to facilitate the immediate implementation of the approved reforms.

The council also approved the upgrade of the Snakebite Treatment Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, into a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre with expanded responsibilities for clinical services, research and training.

In addition, FEC approved the procurement of tuberculosis treatment commodities, reproductive health supplies, 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation vans, and the construction of the Gboko Airstrip in Benue State at a cost of N34.39 billion.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the new snakebite centre would help tackle the over 43,000 snakebite cases recorded annually in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities.

Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the Gboko Airstrip would support agricultural activities, security operations, humanitarian services and emergency medical response in the Middle Belt region.

I can also rewrite it in a punchier newspaper style with a stronger headline and shorter paragraphs if it's intended for publication.