The Federal Government has confirmed that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will no longer wear the scheme’s iconic khaki uniform, as it will be replaced with locally produced Adire fabric under the newly approved reforms aimed at repositioning the 53-year-old scheme.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande announced the development during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, explaining that the decision is intended to boost Nigeria’s textile industry by ensuring that government spending supports indigenous manufacturers and local production.
According to the minister, Adire fabrics will be sourced from Nigerian textile producers in states such as Ogun and Kwara, stressing that the reform is part of efforts to keep public funds within the country’s economy.
Beyond the new uniform, Olawande disclosed that corps members will increasingly be deployed according to their academic qualifications and professional specialisations. Graduates with education-related qualifications, for example, will be posted to schools, replacing the previous practice of random deployment.
The announcement follows the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, which also includes civilian leadership for the scheme, specialised career streams, and deployment strategies that take security risk assessments into account.
The proposed replacement of the long-standing khaki uniform has already generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with supporters describing it as a boost for local industry, while critics question whether changing the uniform should be a priority amid broader challenges facing the scheme.
