Deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese (LP, Benue), has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of planned reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
Deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese (LP, Benue), has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the Federal Government’s sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He warned that some of the proposed changes could undermine the scheme’s founding mandate of promoting national unity and weaken Nigeria’s national defence architecture.
Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue State and serves on the House Committees on Youth and Defence, said the reforms should undergo broader stakeholder consultation before implementation.
The lawmaker made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, stressing that while modernising the NYSC was desirable, the exercise must not compromise the institution’s core objectives.
His intervention follows the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the most far-reaching restructuring of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago.
Established on May 22, 1973 by Decree No. 24 under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon, the NYSC was created as part of Nigeria’s post-civil war reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
The scheme was designed to foster national unity by deploying graduates to states other than their own, encouraging cultural integration, national cohesion and shared nation-building.
Over the past five decades, the scheme has also provided manpower support in education, healthcare, elections, community development and emergency interventions across the country.
The latest reform package, approved by the Federal Government, seeks to reposition the scheme to meet contemporary national development needs.
Among the major changes are the extension of the orientation programme from three weeks to six weeks; the creation of 11 specialised service streams covering sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, legal services, infrastructure, the creative economy and security; and the introduction of optional two-year medical and teacher corps for professionals willing to serve in underserved communities.
The reforms also propose algorithm-based deployment of corps members to reduce human interference in postings, the appointment of a civilian to head the scheme while the military retains responsibility for camp security, a new uniform and graduation ceremony, digital transformation of NYSC operations, improved security protocols for corps members, and the establishment of a ₦2 billion innovation fund to support entrepreneurship and skills development.
Reacting to the reforms, Agbese said the NYSC should not be transformed into what he described as “a mere skill acquisition programme.”
“Reducing NYSC to a skill acquisition training centre is not healthy for our national life,” he said, adding that the scheme has evolved into a strategic national institution whose value extends beyond youth empowerment.
He noted that corps members have consistently supported critical national assignments, including teaching in underserved schools, providing healthcare services in rural communities, participating in national immunisation campaigns and assisting during elections and other emergency interventions.
Agbese also expressed concern over the proposal to place the scheme under civilian operational leadership, arguing that the military culture embedded in the orientation programme has played a significant role in instilling discipline, patriotism and national consciousness among young Nigerians.
“Instilling military training in citizens is an international practice that must be sustained,” he said and maintained that the NYSC’s paramilitary orientation remains an important component of Nigeria’s broader national security framework and should not be diluted.
He therefore called on President Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the approved reforms and constitute an expanded review committee comprising security experts, lawmakers, former NYSC officials, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the proposals.
According to him, reforms of such a strategic national institution must be inclusive and carefully considered to ensure they preserve the scheme’s original vision while adapting it to contemporary realities.
While the Federal Government has defended the reforms as necessary to make the NYSC more responsive to today’s socio-economic realities and improve skills development, transparency and corps members’ welfare, some stakeholders have continued to express concerns that certain proposals could weaken the scheme’s historic role as a vehicle for national integration and unity.
Several aspects of the reform package, particularly those affecting the structure and powers of the NYSC, are expected to require amendments to the NYSC Act by the National Assembly before they can take full legal effect.
