By Mohammed Abdullahi

Dr Reuben Abati’s recent intervention on the proposed reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) raises important questions about the direction of one of Nigeria’s most enduring national institutions. His concerns are understandable, particularly given the emotional connection many Nigerians have with the scheme and the memories it has created over the past five decades. The NYSC has produced lifelong friendships, inter-ethnic marriages, and a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s diversity for millions of young Nigerians.

However, while defending the historical significance of the NYSC is important, it is equally important that public commentary on a reform of this magnitude is guided by facts, context, and a proper understanding of the proposals being considered. Nostalgia cannot be the only basis for determining the future of an institution that was created over 50 years ago to address the realities of a different Nigeria.

Dr Abati’s assertion that “nobody was consulted” before the proposed reform was announced is inaccurate. Public commentators must exercise caution and ensure that they do not unintentionally mislead citizens with claims that are not supported by facts. The reform process was not conceived in isolation or imposed without consultation. A multi-stakeholder committee worked for several months to develop the reform framework. Following the work of that committee, a stakeholders’ consultative forum was convened on 8 December 2025, bringing together relevant voices and perspectives to examine the proposed direction of the scheme.

The question, therefore, is not whether consultation happened. The more important question is whether Nigeria is prepared to continuously review its institutions to ensure that they remain relevant to present realities.

Dr Abati correctly highlighted that the emphasis of NYSC has always been on service. However, he also recommended that the community development component of the scheme should be discontinued. This position appears to overlook the historical foundation of the NYSC idea.

The inspiration behind the creation of the NYSC was not merely about deploying graduates across states. The concept was influenced by the Peace Corps initiated by United States President John F. Kennedy in 1961, an initiative that enabled American volunteers to serve in developing countries by contributing to healthcare, education, agriculture, and other community development interventions.

This historical context explains why the reform committee deliberately retained the Community Development Service component. The committee understood that removing that aspect would fundamentally alter the philosophy of the NYSC. Indeed, a former Minister of Youth Development expressed concern that tampering with the community development element could unintentionally transform the NYSC from a national service platform into merely a self-development programme.

The purpose of NYSC has always been bigger than individual advancement. It is about national contribution, social responsibility, and participation in community transformation. Any reform that ignores this foundation risks losing the very essence of the scheme.

Another issue raised by Dr Abati is the proposal that prospective corps members may be posted to their states of origin in situations where security concerns exist. He argued that this would defeat the central objective of NYSC, which was designed to encourage integration by exposing young Nigerians to communities different from their own.

Again, while the argument for national integration is valid, the reality of today’s Nigeria cannot be ignored. Even under the current NYSC structure, prospective corps members are sometimes posted to neighbouring states when security challenges make deployment to certain locations unsafe. The principle has always been that while national unity is important, no life is expendable.

For instance, a young Nigerian from Borno posted to Yobe may have a better understanding of the environment, culture, and terrain, and may be better positioned to navigate challenges in an emergency situation, compared to someone from another part of the country who has no familiarity with the area. This is not an argument against integration; it is an argument for responsible deployment.

Security situations are also not permanent. A temporary adjustment in deployment policy because of insecurity should not be interpreted as abandoning the original objective of NYSC. It is simply an adaptation to current realities.

Interestingly, whenever corps members have unfortunately lost their lives due to insecurity or election-related violence, commentators, including Dr Abati, have understandably expressed anger and concern. Such reactions are justified. But when government responds to those concerns by introducing reforms aimed at reducing those risks, the argument should not suddenly shift to accusing the same reforms of undermining NYSC’s purpose.

On the issue of uniform, the conversation has perhaps received more attention than it deserves. The proposal is not simply about changing fabric. The objective is to develop a uniform that maintains the identity of the NYSC, reflects professionalism, projects national pride, and gives corps members a stronger sense of belonging.

Many Nigerians who grew up in earlier decades remember the respect attached to the NYSC uniform. I recall when my brother participated in the scheme around 1994; people in our community gathered in our compound because they believed a “soldier” had arrived in the family. That perception reflected the dignity and symbolism attached to national service at the time.

The intention today is to preserve that symbolism while modernising the outlook. As the current Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, himself has stated, the discussion around uniform is among the least important aspects of the reform. The focus should remain on the substance of the transformation.

Dr. Abati also argued that universities, rather than NYSC, should be responsible for preparing graduates for employment by reviewing curricula and integrating entrepreneurship into academic disciplines. While this argument has merit, it overlooks the fact that Nigeria is not the only country with transition programmes designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Several countries operate structured programmes between graduation and full participation in the workforce. Singapore’s SkillsFuture equips graduates with industry-relevant skills and career support. South Korea’s K-Move programme prepares young people for employment through specialised training and work placement. Germany’s dual vocational transition system combines practical workplace experience with structured learning.

These countries understand a simple reality: obtaining a university degree alone does not automatically guarantee employability. They also teach entrepreneurship within their educational systems, yet they still maintain transition programmes that help young people adapt to the demands of the labour market.

This is precisely the thinking behind the proposed NYSC reform. It is not a replacement for university education. It is an additional bridge between academic learning and workplace realities.

Interestingly, Dr Abati himself stated that “what the federal government needs to do is to make the NYSC experience richer and more exciting for those who participate in it.” That statement is essentially the reason the reform conversation began in the first place.

The proposed reforms are designed around many of the issues Dr Abati identified.

He called for increased monthly allowances for corps members. The reform conversation recognises the need to improve the welfare of young Nigerians serving the nation. He called for improved feeding at orientation camps. The reform proposal includes the upgrade and modernisation of orientation facilities. He called for stronger security around camps to prevent attacks by bandits and terrorists. The proposed reforms take this concern seriously. He called for corps members to be deployed to places of primary assignment relevant to their fields of study. This is also part of the reform direction.

On the question of replacing the passing-out parade with a graduation ceremony, there appears to be a misunderstanding. Corps members will not be wearing academic gowns, and the idea is not to transform NYSC into a university programme. They will continue to wear their uniforms. However, the argument is that “passing out parade” traditionally has a military connotation, and since corps members are not enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy, a graduation ceremony may better represent the completion of a national service programme.

Will the proposed reforms modernise NYSC? Yes. That is precisely the objective. Will they improve employability? Yes. Corps members will acquire market-relevant skills during their service year, increasing their chances of meaningful engagement after graduation.

A major misunderstanding also exists around the proposed six-week orientation programme. Many people commenting on this issue do not appear to understand the justification behind it.

A report once highlighted a troubling reality: only about 25 percent of Nigerian youths identified primarily as Nigerians first, while more than 70 percent identified mainly through ethnic or religious identities. Nigeria, according to the report, had become a fourth-level identity for many young people.

The proposed first two weeks of orientation are therefore designed to address this challenge by focusing on civic responsibility, patriotism, leadership, and national consciousness. This is not an arbitrary extension of camp duration. It is a response to a national challenge.

Week 3 to 4 are dedicated to soft skills development, which is also based on global realities. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2026 highlights that many of the skills required for success in the coming years are not necessarily those acquired through university degrees alone. Skills such as negotiation, relationship management, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, and adaptability are becoming increasingly important in the future workplace.These are precisely the kinds of competencies the proposed reform seeks to provide.

The final two weeks are designed to prepare corps members for specific career pathways, ensuring that the service year produces young Nigerians who are better prepared for the future.

Meanwhile, it is also important to note that this is not the first attempt to reform NYSC.

In his memoir, The Loyalist, former Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi recounted his own effort to reform the scheme during his tenure. On page 112, he recalled presenting his ideas to President Goodluck Jonathan:

“Sir, apart from General Gowon, who created the NYSC, I want you to be the President that reforms it to address current challenges,” he told the President.

He explained that while the original purpose of NYSC was to strengthen national unity, changing realities required giving young Nigerians additional reasons to participate beyond patriotism alone.

He proposed ending postings to private companies unless those companies could guarantee employment. He proposed entrepreneurship training, incubation opportunities, and credit support for corps members. He suggested creating a teacher supply pipeline by allowing interested corps members to spend an additional year teaching before pursuing other careers. He also advocated restricting postings to critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

After listening, President Jonathan responded: “Your ideas sound very interesting. They are good ideas. But will they let you do it?” That question remains relevant today.

Abdullahi also noted that NYSC reform would naturally attract resistance, particularly because the military had, over time, come to view the scheme almost as its own territory. He observed that even other military institutions, including the Air Force and Navy, appeared to accept that the NYSC Director-General position belonged to the Army. Yet, other institutions created by the military, such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Federal Character Commission, are today not headed by military officers. The question therefore remains: why the fixation on NYSC?

Reforming NYSC does not mean destroying it. It means protecting its relevance. Institutions survive not because they remain unchanged, but because they evolve with society.

The Nigeria of 1973 is not the Nigeria of 2026. The challenges facing young Nigerians today are different. The labour market is different. Security realities are different. Identity challenges are different. A responsible government must therefore ask how a 53-year-old institution can better serve a new generation.

The debate around NYSC reform should therefore not be about defending the past against the future. It should be about ensuring that the future honours the best parts of the past while correcting its weaknesses.

The question President Jonathan asked many years ago remains the most important question confronting this reform effort today: “Will they let you do it?”

The “they” President Jonathan referred to are the same forces that have historically resisted attempts to modernise NYSC — those who prefer familiarity over reform, those who mistake preservation for progress, those who benefit from the status quo, and those who continue to frustrate every serious attempt to reform the scheme.

Abdullahi is Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth Development