The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), urging broader consultations before any changes are introduced.
Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
According to the lawmaker, the NYSC has remained a vital national institution since its establishment in 1973, playing a significant role in promoting national unity and contributing to the country’s development. While acknowledging the need for reforms, he stressed that any changes should preserve the scheme’s core objective of fostering national integration among young Nigerians.
The Federal Government recently unveiled what the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC in more than five decades.
Among the proposed reforms are the appointment of a civilian as Director-General instead of a military officer, restructuring the orientation camp into three phases, creating 11 specialised career streams for corps members, strengthening skills acquisition programmes, and replacing the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced attire.
The proposals have generated mixed reactions across the country. While some stakeholders believe the reforms will modernise the scheme and improve opportunities for young people, others argue they could undermine the programme’s original objectives.
Agbese expressed particular concern over the proposal to appoint a civilian as NYSC Director-General, maintaining that military leadership has been instrumental in instilling discipline, patriotism and a sense of national service among corps members over the years.
He urged President Tinubu to establish a broader review committee comprising security experts, lawmakers, former NYSC officials, youth groups and other stakeholders to thoroughly examine the proposed reforms before implementation.
The lawmaker recalled that the NYSC was established on May 22, 1973, by the administration of former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon to promote national unity and reconciliation after the Nigerian Civil War. Since then, the scheme has made significant contributions to education, healthcare, elections, community development and cultural integration across the country.
The proposed reforms are regarded as the most far-reaching review of the NYSC since its inception and have reignited debate over the future of the national service programme.
Meanwhile, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, backed the proposed reforms, describing them as a strategic step towards achieving the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The former Osun State lawmaker said the initiative would reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment and national development by equipping young graduates with practical skills suited to the demands of the modern labour market.
According to Oyintiloye, the newly introduced service streams are designed to align graduates’ academic backgrounds with relevant career paths, enhance employability and boost productivity, ultimately supporting the government’s long-term economic goals.
