Tinubu’s NYSC overhaul will produce job creators, strengthen national development – Arodiogbu

Michael Olumide

National Vice Chairman (South East), All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the initiative as a landmark intervention that will transform the scheme into a stronger platform for youth empowerment, national unity and economic development.

Arodiogbu said the comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old scheme demonstrates President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to preparing Nigerian youths for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy while advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting chaired by President Tinubu on Monday, June 29, 2026, represent the first comprehensive restructuring of the NYSC since the scheme was established in 1973.

Reacting to the development, the APC South East leader described the decision as timely and visionary, noting that it would reposition the NYSC to better equip graduates with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity and professional competence required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

According to him, the reforms are designed to bridge the gap between higher education and the labour market by introducing practical, market-driven skills acquisition programmes that will significantly improve the employability of Nigerian graduates.

He noted that the renewed emphasis on entrepreneurship would empower corps members to become employers of labour rather than job seekers, thereby contributing to job creation, economic diversification and sustainable national growth.

Arodiogbu also welcomed the planned deployment of corps members based on their professional qualifications and career interests, describing it as a major departure from previous practices that would enhance productivity and enable graduates to make greater contributions in their respective fields.

He further applauded the administration’s commitment to improving the safety and welfare of corps members through risk-sensitive deployment policies, modernisation of orientation camps and the digitalisation of mobilisation and call-up processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

The APC chieftain said the reforms would also deepen collaboration between government and the private sector in youth development while creating opportunities for corps members to obtain professional certifications in specialised fields that would improve their competitiveness in both local and international labour markets.

According to him, the comprehensive reforms are strategically aligned with President Tinubu’s ambition of building a productive workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s drive towards becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Arodiogbu equally praised the decision to place the NYSC under civilian operational leadership while retaining military support for the protection of corps members, describing the new governance structure as consistent with international best practices that would improve institutional efficiency without compromising security.

He called on Nigerian youths, particularly those from the South East, to embrace the reforms with optimism and position themselves to maximise the opportunities expected to emerge in technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship and other critical sectors of the economy.

“The reform of the NYSC is not merely about changing structures; it is about investing in the future of Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again demonstrated courageous leadership by repositioning one of Nigeria’s most important youth institutions to produce globally competitive graduates who will drive innovation, productivity and national development,” Arodiogbu said.

He expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the reforms would strengthen national integration, promote youth empowerment, improve graduate employability and restore the NYSC as a more dynamic and relevant institution capable of meeting Nigeria’s developmental aspirations in the years ahead.

Arodiogbu urged Nigerians to support the implementation of the reforms, insisting that the initiative would not only benefit young graduates but also enhance national productivity, stimulate economic growth and reinforce the country’s long-term development agenda.