The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing a civilian-led management structure, extending the orientation programme from three to six weeks, and restructuring the scheme into 11 specialised skills-based streams.

The approval was granted on Monday during the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, said the reforms were designed to reposition the NYSC from a mobilisation scheme into a platform for skills development, entrepreneurship, productivity and national growth.

Under the new structure, the NYSC will be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, while security operations will continue to be handled by the military through a dedicated security directorate.

The council also approved a redesign of the orientation programme into a six-week curriculum. The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, leadership and national values, the next two weeks on career development, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, while the final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s chosen stream.

The scheme has also been divided into 11 core streams, including Agriculture, Medical, Education, Technology and Digital, Legal, Public Service, Infrastructure, Green Economy, Enterprise, Creative Economy, and Paramilitary and Security.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, described the changes as the first holistic reform of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973, saying they align with the Federal Government’s goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

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

The Federal Government said the Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act to provide the necessary legal backing for the reforms.

At the same meeting, FEC also approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, alongside health and aviation projects worth ₦128.29 billion, including tuberculosis and reproductive health commodities, blood donation vans and the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State.