Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has officially announced that the iconic khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will be replaced with Adire fabric as part of a comprehensive reform of the 53-year-old scheme. Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday, July 2, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief.
Olawande explained that the change is aimed at promoting local production and ensuring government spending directly benefits the Nigerian economy. When asked whether the new uniform would be produced locally, he affirmed, "It's Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let's put our money back into the country."
A Shift Towards Local Manufacturing
The decision to replace the traditional khaki with Adire—a hand-dyed, indigo-dyed fabric indigenous to the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria—is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen local industries. By channelling public funds into locally made textiles, the government aims to stimulate the domestic textile sector and promote Nigerian craftsmanship. Reports indicate the plan involves discontinuing the current white T-shirt and khaki combination entirely, replacing it with an Adire-designed outfit that retains the existing NYSC logo, while heavy jungle boots give way to Crocs and lighter training shoes.
Beyond the uniform change, Olawande disclosed that corps members will now be deployed based on their academic qualifications and professional skills. Education graduates, for instance, will be posted to schools, moving away from the current practice of random deployment. "That after you are leaving the camp, you are not just posted to a school just because NYSC wants you to be in school but because of the process you followed when in camp," he said.
On security concerns, the minister said the government is considering deploying prospective corps members to regions where they studied and are already familiar with the environment, particularly in areas facing insecurity. This approach, he explained, would reduce anxiety among parents and participants while making deployments more practical.
Olawande also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception. He clarified that while the scheme's operational leadership will be headed by a civilian, the military will continue to play a key role in camp activities and the security of corps members. "We are not taking the military out of NYSC; it's just a misconception. The military is not taken away; there is no way you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation," he stated.
The reforms follow the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, June 29, 2026, of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, the first major reform since the scheme's establishment 53 years ago. As part of the decision, the FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to accommodate the approved reforms and facilitate their implementation.
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