The Federal Government has been urged to suspend the proposed reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pending wider public consultations with stakeholders.

The call was made by the Executive Director of the Center for Responsive Governance, Ayodeji Ologun, who argued that although reforms of the scheme are necessary, the current process lacks adequate public participation.

Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ologun said any review of the NYSC should be comprehensive and aligned with the original objectives of the programme.

He called on the government to organise public hearings that would allow stakeholders, youth groups and Nigerians to contribute to the reform process before any policy is implemented.

According to him, reforms introduced without broad consultation could weaken rather than strengthen the scheme.

Ologun noted that the NYSC has gradually lost some of its relevance over the years, making reform necessary, but insisted that the process should address the programme’s fundamental challenges.

He criticised what he described as the government’s tendency to rush important policy decisions without following due process.

“There is no doubt that the NYSC needs to be reviewed, but implementation should be suspended until opinions and ideas are gathered through public hearings involving everyone concerned with youth development,” he said.

He added that there was no urgency that justified bypassing consultations, stressing that meaningful reforms should emerge from broad public engagement.

Ologun also expressed reservations about proposals to replace military leadership of the NYSC with civilian management.

According to him, such a move could weaken the discipline and values for which the scheme has been known since its establishment.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that any reform of the NYSC strengthens the scheme rather than undermines its core objectives.