Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the NYSC proposed reforms, insisting that the planned overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps requires wider stakeholder consultation before it is introduced. Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, describing the NYSC as a vital national institution whose founding principles should remain protected even as reforms are considered.
A member of the House Committees on Youth and Defence, Agbese acknowledged the need to modernise the scheme but maintained that any changes should preserve its core mission of promoting national unity and development. His comments followed the Federal Government’s unveiling of what the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
The NYSC proposed reforms include restructuring the orientation camp into three phases, introducing 11 specialised career streams for prospective corps members, expanding skills acquisition programmes, replacing the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced attire, and appointing a civilian as Director-General instead of a military officer.
The proposed changes have attracted differing opinions across the country. While some stakeholders believe the reforms could modernise the scheme and improve its relevance, others have questioned whether the proposals may weaken the original objectives of the programme. Agbese argued that reforms should strengthen, rather than diminish, the NYSC’s longstanding contribution to national integration. He noted that the scheme has continued to support critical sectors such as education, healthcare, elections, emergency response and community development while encouraging cultural understanding among young Nigerians.
The lawmaker also expressed reservations about the proposal to appoint a civilian as Director-General of the scheme. According to him, the tradition of military leadership has helped instill discipline, patriotism and national preparedness among corps members over the years. He urged President Tinubu to constitute a broad-based review committee comprising security experts, lawmakers, former NYSC officials, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders to thoroughly evaluate the proposed changes before any implementation begins.
Established on May 22, 1973, under the administration of Yakubu Gowon, the National Youth Service Corps was created to promote reconciliation and national unity following the Nigerian Civil War by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin.
For more than five decades, the scheme has remained a key platform for national service, supporting government programmes in education, healthcare, elections and community development. As debate over the NYSC proposed reforms continues, stakeholders are expected to closely examine whether the proposed changes can modernise the programme while preserving its original mandate of fostering national cohesion.
