The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing 11 specialised career streams, extending the orientation programme to six weeks, and restructuring how corps members are trained and deployed.

According to The PUNCH, the reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, marking the first comprehensive review of the 53-year-old scheme since its establishment in 1973.

Speaking after the FEC meeting in Abuja, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the revamped orientation programme will 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 mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance, alongside a structured career day that will connect corps members with employers and other stakeholders.

The final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s selected career stream, academic background and skills.

Under the new framework, corps members will choose one of 11 specialised streams during registration. They include Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps.

Officials said the specialised streams are intended to equip graduates with practical, career-focused skills that align with Nigeria’s workforce needs.

The reforms also introduce a more security-conscious deployment process, with postings taking into account prevailing security conditions across the country.

In another major change, the NYSC will now be led by a civilian, while the military will continue providing security at orientation camps nationwide.

The government also approved a redesigned NYSC uniform aimed at reflecting professionalism and national pride. In addition, the traditional Passing Out Parade will be replaced with a graduation ceremony, while orientation camps nationwide will be assessed under a new grading and certification system to improve standards.

The Federal Executive Council has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.