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The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of a broader reform of the scheme. Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande disclosed the proposal during an interview on Channels Television, explaining that the move is aimed at promoting local manufacturing, supporting Nigeria’s textile industry and ensuring government spending benefits the domestic economy.
According to the minister, the ongoing reforms will also ensure corps members are posted based on their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds. For example, graduates with education degrees would be deployed to schools after undergoing the appropriate orientation processes, while other professionals would be assigned to roles that align with their fields of study. He also revealed that the government is considering deploying corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas affected by insecurity, to improve safety and reduce requests for redeployment.
The proposed uniform change is part of the comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment in 1973. The reforms also provide for civilian operational leadership of the scheme while retaining the military’s role in providing security and support during orientation camps and other activities. However, following widespread reports, the minister later clarified that no final decision has yet been made on replacing the khaki uniform with Adire, stressing that Adire was only one of several options being considered and that the government is still evaluating the best design based on durability, functionality, cost and national identity.
