APC chieftain says NYSC reforms will boost youth employment

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has described the Federal Government’s reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a major step towards transforming the scheme into a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment and national development.

 

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye said the reforms align with the Federal Government’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by equipping young graduates with practical skills suited to the demands of the modern labour market.

 

He said the newly introduced service streams are designed to provide corps members with training tailored to their academic backgrounds, career interests and the country’s workforce needs.

 

According to him, the reforms will strengthen human capital development by equipping graduates with marketable skills that can improve productivity, create employment opportunities and support economic growth.

 

Oyintiloye noted that the policy marks a shift from the traditional national service model to one that places greater emphasis on skills acquisition, innovation and sector-specific development.

 

He explained that under the new framework, corps members will choose a specialised service stream after completing their registration.

 

The streams include Agriculture 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.

 

He added that participants would receive specialised training during the orientation programme to prepare them for productive careers and national service.

 

Oyintiloye expressed confidence that the reforms would help reduce youth unemployment by improving graduates’ employability and supporting key sectors of the economy.

 

He described the initiative as the first major restructuring of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago, saying it reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to youth development, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

 

He also said the new framework would enhance the relevance of the NYSC while preserving its core objective of promoting national unity among young Nigerians.

 

The National Youth Service Corps was established by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, to promote reconciliation, national integration and unity among Nigerian youths following the Nigerian Civil War.