Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A prominent Nigerian academic has added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism against the Federal Government's proposal to replace the National Youth Service Corps' iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric, arguing that the change is unnecessary and does not improve upon a uniform that is already uniquely Nigerian. Professor Duro Oni, a respected Professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos and former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, made the remarks during an interview on Arise News on Saturday, 4 July 2026, joining a swelling tide of Nigerians questioning the government's priorities in the ongoing reform of the 53-year-old scheme.
"There is always room for improvement, but if something is already working well, why change it?" Oni asked during the interview. "The NYSC uniform is already unique, with its khaki, boots, jacket, and boldly branded T-shirt. I don't see why replacing the khaki with adire is necessary or how it improves the uniform". The professor's comments came as the government scrambled to clarify its position on the proposed uniform change after days of intense public backlash and widespread social media debate.
The controversy erupted on Thursday, 2 July 2026, when the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, appeared on Channels Television's The Morning Brief and appeared to confirm that Adire would replace the traditional khaki as the official NYSC uniform. "It's Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let's put our money back into the country," Olawande had said. The minister further explained that the move was designed to revive Nigeria's textile industry, create jobs, and keep government spending within the local economy. The proposed uniform change formed part of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, 29 June 2026, which also includes skills-based deployment of corps members, civilian operational leadership for the scheme, and amendments to the NYSC Act.
Within hours of Olawande's interview, the proposal dominated discussions across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and other social media platforms, with many Nigerians questioning why the government appeared focused on changing uniforms instead of addressing persistent concerns over corps members' security, welfare, delayed allowances, and the future of the scheme itself. Critics argued that the khaki uniform has become one of the strongest symbols of national unity and should not be replaced. Others questioned whether Adire, traditionally associated with Yoruba cultural heritage, should become the national attire of an institution representing every part of Nigeria. Some social media users faulted the timing of the proposal, insisting that reforms should focus on improving corps members' welfare, security, and employment opportunities rather than redesigning uniforms.
Faced with the intense backlash, the minister issued a clarification on Thursday, 2 July 2026, stressing that his comments had been misconstrued. In a statement published on his official X handle, Olawande explained that while he mentioned Adire and Ankara during the interview, they were only examples of proposals being considered as part of the ongoing reform of the scheme, adding that "no final decision has been taken on the fabric or design". "My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform," he stated. The minister said the government is considering options that "tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride".
Despite the clarification, the proposal has continued to generate national conversation, with many Nigerians urging the Federal Government to engage stakeholders before taking any decision capable of altering one of the country's most recognisable national symbols. Professor Oni's intervention adds considerable weight to the criticism, given his standing as a respected academic and cultural figure. A Nigerian professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, Oni has served as president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and is widely regarded as an authority on cultural and artistic matters. His argument that the khaki uniform is "already unique" resonates with many who view the current NYSC attire as a powerful symbol of national unity and service that transcends ethnic and regional divisions.
Supporters of the proposal, however, argue that adopting locally produced Adire could stimulate Nigeria's textile industry, create jobs, reduce dependence on imported fabrics, and keep government spending within the domestic economy. They contend that embracing indigenous fabrics would also promote Nigerian culture and manufacturing. The Minister of Youth Development has urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms, which include improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
Nevertheless, concerns about the proposal's implications for national unity persist. An anonymous source from the NYSC told 9News Nigeria that the idea, though yet to be clarified by the minister, "will not add any iota of improvement either to the NYSC or the Country at large. It will rather disunite and disintegrate the unity and oneness established by its legal framework existing in the national service". The source further argued that "Adire is core Yoruba and on this therefore other tribal fabrics will be cheated and their tribes will feel disenfranchised and hated". A serving corps member, Miss Victoria Oyerinde, also opposed the proposed adoption of Adire as the official NYSC uniform, arguing that a design associated with one region may not adequately reflect Nigeria's diversity. Another respondent, Miss Kemisola Odejide, argued that Khaki reflected the scheme's national outlook and should not be changed. As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: any decision to alter the NYSC uniform will require careful navigation of Nigeria's complex cultural and political landscape, and Professor Oni's words serve as a timely reminder that some symbols, once broken, cannot easily be mended.
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