Renowned political economist, Prof. Anthony Kila, has faulted the Federal Government’s proposed reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), calling for a complete redesign of the scheme rather than what he considers superficial adjustments.

Describing the move as “a wrong step in the right direction,” Kila, who is the Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, acknowledged that reforming the NYSC is both necessary and overdue.

Kila noted in an interview that Nigeria in 2026 bears little resemblance to the country that established the scheme in 1973.

“There is no doubt that reforming the NYSC is the right course of action. The tragedy is that what has been presented as reform is, regrettably, a misstep in the right direction.”

Kila noted that the government’s proposals amount to administrative adjustments, rather than genuine institutional transformation.

He said the reforms focus on procedures, while failing to address the fundamental purpose of national service in contemporary Nigeria.

Specifically, Kila said Nigerians had expected a bold reimagining of the scheme, but were instead presented with modest changes that leave the core challenges unresolved.

He argued that the reform focuses on extending orientation camps and introducing new training components, rather than addressing the more fundamental question of what national service should mean in an era shaped by technology, insecurity, entrepreneurship and changing patterns of work.

Kila also faulted aspects of the proposed reforms that, in his view, treat university graduates as though they require another stage of basic formation after completing higher education.

“Graduates are not clueless street urchins waiting for the government to civilise them,” he argued, insisting that higher education should already have equipped them with intellectual discipline and professional competence.

The professor further identified what he described as one of the most significant unintended consequences of the NYSC scheme: encouraging young Nigerians to manipulate the posting process.

He noted that many graduates begin adult life by seeking influential contacts, preferred postings, or ways to circumvent established procedures, thereby learning the wrong lessons about citizenship and public institutions.

As an alternative, Kila proposed replacing compulsory national service with a prestigious voluntary national service programme designed to attract motivated participants instead of reluctant ones.

Under the proposal, participants would choose postings at least 100 kilometres from their usual place of residence to encourage national integration, while also taking account of contemporary security realities.

The programme, he said, would emphasise civic education, leadership development, physical fitness, basic military preparedness, emergency response, project management, community development and problem-solving.

He also proposed that participants complete a measurable community development project to ensure the programme has a lasting impact on host communities.

Kila dismissed suggestions that changing the NYSC uniform should form part of the reform agenda.

He maintained that national service should be judged by its purpose, rather than appearance.

The don further urged the Federal Government to hold wide-ranging consultations with universities, employers, security experts, former corps members, community leaders and young Nigerians before implementing far-reaching reforms.

According to him, meaningful institutional reform should arise from thoughtful engagement with stakeholders, rather than from administrative pronouncements.