FEC Creates 11 Specialised NYSC Corps, Extends Orientation Camp to Six Weeks

FEC Creates 11 Specialised NYSC Corps, Extends Orientation Camp to Six Weeks

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the creation of 11 specialised service streams for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), alongside an extension of the orientation course from three to six weeks, in a major overhaul aimed at equipping graduates with industry-specific skills and improving their employability.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a major restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing 11 specialised corps streams and extending the orientation camp programme from three to six weeks as part of efforts to align the scheme with Nigeria's workforce and development needs.

The reforms, approved at Monday's FEC meeting, also retain the one-year mandatory national service while introducing a civilian leadership structure, a new NYSC uniform, and revised deployment procedures that take prevailing security realities into account.

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms are designed to reposition the NYSC for greater efficiency and relevance, with stronger emphasis on skills acquisition and career development.

Providing further details, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said prospective corps members will now choose from 11 specialised streams during registration. They include Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps.

According to Usman, the orientation exercise will now span six weeks. The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values, and leadership development. The second phase will expose corps members to career mapping, financial literacy, business planning, and access to finance, while the final two weeks will provide specialised training tailored to each participant's selected career stream.

She said the specialised streams are intended to equip graduates with practical skills that match their academic qualifications, career aspirations, and the country's manpower needs.

The reforms also include a review of the deployment process to ensure postings are made with greater consideration for security conditions across the country.

The Federal Government said the changes are expected to strengthen the NYSC's contribution to national development by producing more skilled, employable, and service-oriented graduates.