Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified its proposal for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to replace the scheme’s traditional khaki uniform with Adire fabric.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief yesterday, Olawande said the change is designed to promote local manufacturing and ensure government spending supports the Nigerian economy.

Responding to a question on whether the proposed new uniform would be produced locally, the minister said: “It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country.”

In a follow-up tweet on X, Olawande said, “For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations.

It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.

“For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride. No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.

As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation.”

Olawande also disclosed that, under the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC, corps members will increasingly be posted according to their fields of study and professional qualifications.

He explained that graduates with education-related qualifications, for instance, would be deployed to schools instead of the current system, where postings are not always based on specialisation.

Addressing security concerns surrounding corps member deployment, the minister said the government is considering posting graduates to regions where they studied and are familiar with the environment, especially in areas facing security challenges.

According to him, the approach would reduce anxiety among parents and prospective corps members while making the deployment process more effective.

Olawande also dismissed reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misunderstanding.

He clarified that although the scheme’s operational leadership would be headed by a civilian, the military would continue to play a vital role, particularly in providing security for corps members.

“We are not taking the military out of NYSC; it’s just a misconception and the way we read some of the things that were put out, and that is the aspect that we need to start making research before reacting. The military is not taken away; there is no way you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” the minister said.

The reforms follow the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, the first major reform of the scheme since it was established 53 years ago.

As part of the decision, the FEC directed the Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to accommodate the approved reforms and facilitate their implementation.

Under the new framework, the NYSC will be headed by a civilian in its operational leadership, while the military will continue to provide security support nationwide.

The Federal Government said the reforms were aimed at repositioning the NYSC as a skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth-empowerment institution that aligns with its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.