By Aaron Ossai
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has criticised the Federal Government’s recently approved reforms to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC warning that key aspects of the proposals could weaken the scheme’s core mandate of national integration and undermine Nigeria’s national defence objectives.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State and serves as the Labour Party leader in the state, called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend implementation of the reforms and set up a broader committee to review the proposals before they take effect.
His reaction follows the Federal Government’s unveiling of what the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described as the first comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme since its inception more than five decades ago.
Among the proposed reforms are the restructuring of the orientation camp into three phases, the introduction of 11 specialised career streams from which prospective corps members will make their choices during registration, expanded skills acquisition programmes, replacement of the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced attire, and the appointment of a civilian to head the scheme instead of the customary military leadership.
The proposals have sparked nationwide debate, with stakeholders divided over whether the changes would modernise the scheme or dilute its original purpose.
Reacting to the development, Hon. Agbese said modernisation should not come at the expense of the NYSC’s role in fostering national cohesion and supporting the country’s security architecture.
“Reducing NYSC to a skill acquisition training centre is not healthy for our national life,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, the scheme has evolved beyond youth development to become a vital national asset, providing manpower during emergencies through the deployment of corps members to critical sectors such as education, healthcare and election management.
He also expressed concern over the proposal to replace military leadership with a civilian director, arguing that the military culture embedded in the orientation programme has remained instrumental in instilling discipline, patriotism and national service among participants.
“Instilling military training in citizens is an international practice that must be sustained,” Agbese stated.
He urged President Tinubu to constitute an expanded review committee comprising security experts, members of the National Assembly, former NYSC officials, youth organisations and other key stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the proposed reforms before implementation.
Established on May 22, 1973, by the administration of General Yakubu Gowon as part of Nigeria’s post-Civil War reconciliation efforts, the NYSC was designed to promote national unity by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin.
For more than 50 years, the scheme has facilitated cultural integration, addressed manpower shortages in key sectors and supported government interventions in healthcare, elections, community development and emergency response.
Although previous administrations have introduced incremental policy changes, the current proposals represent the most extensive restructuring of the NYSC since its creation, placing the future direction of the scheme at the centre of national discourse.
