FG Announces Adire as New NYSC Uniform

The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of a broad reform aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting local industries.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Thursday.

According to the minister, the adoption of Adire fabric is intended to encourage patronage of locally produced textiles, strengthen Nigeria's textile industry, and ensure that government spending supports domestic manufacturers.

He noted that the fabric would be sourced from Nigerian producers, particularly from states with established textile and Adire production.

Beyond the change in uniform, the minister disclosed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would introduce a deployment system that aligns corps members' places of primary assignment with their academic qualifications and professional skills.

Under the proposed arrangement, graduates of education-related courses, for instance, would be posted to schools, while others would be deployed to sectors relevant to their disciplines. The reform, he explained, is expected to make the scheme more impactful and beneficial to both participants and host communities.

Olawande also revealed that the government is reviewing the deployment process to address security concerns across the country. He explained that corps members may increasingly be posted to states or regions where they studied or are familiar with, especially in areas experiencing security challenges.

According to him, the approach is designed to reduce concerns among parents, improve safety, and eliminate unnecessary redeployments while maintaining the objectives of the national service programme.

The minister further dismissed reports suggesting that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception. He clarified that although the operational leadership of the scheme would be headed by a civilian under the new framework, the military would continue to play its traditional role in orientation camp activities and security.

The proposed reforms follow the Federal Executive Council's approval of the first comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment over five decades ago. As part of the implementation process, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the changes.