APC Chieftain Welcomes Tinubu’s Planned Reform Of NYSC

A former acting national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and chairman of the yet-to-be inaugurated Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the federal government’s decision to undertake a systemic reform of the scheme.

Eta, who was appointed chairman of the board in August 2025, said the current format of the NYSC was no longer viable, as it had failed to address the concerns of its founding fathers more than five decades after its establishment in 1973 by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced its decision to overhaul the NYSC scheme, he expressed confidence that the reforms would drive significant progress and sustainable growth in empowering young people.

He said, “I warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the first comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in its 53-year history. This bold decision confirms my long-held conviction that the Scheme requires fundamental restructuring if it is to remain relevant to modern Nigeria’s aspirations.

“As Chairman of the Governing Board of the NYSC, I see a clear convergence between my vision for the Scheme and that of Mr President. For quite some time, I have consistently advocated a complete rethinking of the NYSC, from a programme focused largely on deployment to one that deliberately equips young Nigerians with industrial, entrepreneurial, digital and vocational skills capable of driving national economic development.

“To be candid, I never imagined that a President would embrace this level of reform so decisively. I had always believed we would have to push very hard to convince the government to undertake such far-reaching changes,” he added.

He said President Tinubu had demonstrated uncommon courage and visionary leadership by undertaking a historic and wide-ranging reform of the Scheme to address its long-standing inefficiencies.

Eta said the objective of the NYSC was to foster national unity after the civil war. He argued that while the vision remains noble, current realities demand that the Scheme also serve as a platform for building skills, creating employment, promoting innovation, and preparing graduates for global competitiveness.

“The reforms, as approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), align perfectly with this objective and will reposition the NYSC as a true catalyst for youth empowerment and national development.”

Accordingly, he supported the President’s decision to overhaul the NYSC. “The one-year service period should be used for an intensive capacity-building programme that equips graduates with practical skills needed in today’s job market,” he said.

In a related statement, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the decision by the FEC to overhaul the NYSC was aimed at making it a more productive and youth-empowering institution.

“I am happy to report that the Federal Executive Council today approved the comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the first holistic review of the Scheme in its 53-year history.

“For over five decades, the NYSC has remained a powerful symbol of national unity and service. Today, we have taken a bold step to preserve that legacy while preparing it for the future. We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

The minister said the reforms would reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.