NYSC to Focus on Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship

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President Bola Tinubu has announced reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, focusing on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. The NYSC orientation programme has been extended to six weeks.

President Tinubu made the announcement via his X account, stating that his administration is repositioning the NYSC into a platform for national development while strengthening its governance, standards and dignity.

For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed. They are the engine of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation.

### New Orientation Programme Structure

The NYSC orientation programme will now become a six-week journey. It will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, values and personal development. It will then move into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial skills. Finally, corps members will receive specialised training aligned with their academic background and career pathway.

### Deployment to Security-Challenged States

Deployment to security-challenged states will be guided by risk assessment. It will prioritise indigenes, residents, and graduates of institutions in those states, as well as those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone.

### Leadership Change at NYSC

Our administration is also strengthening governance, standards and the dignity of the NYSC Scheme. The NYSC will be led by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors, including a Security Services Executive Director, who will be a military or paramilitary officer.

### Impact on Young Nigerians

The reforms aim to make the NYSC scheme more relevant to the needs of young Nigerians. The new programme will equip them with skills that are in high demand in the job market. This will increase their chances of employment and entrepreneurship.

"For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed. They are the engine of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation." President Bola Tinubu

### Conclusion

The reforms announced by President Tinubu are a positive step towards making the NYSC scheme more relevant to the needs of young Nigerians. The extension of the orientation programme and the focus on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship will equip corps members with the skills they need to succeed in the job market.