No decision yet on replacing NYSC khaki with adire, youth minister clarifies

Ayodele Olawande, minister of Youth Development, has clarified that the Federal Government has not taken a final decision to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric, following widespread media reports that suggested the change had already been approved.

 

In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, the minister said his earlier remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief were misconstrued, stressing that Adire was mentioned only as one of several proposals being considered under the ongoing reform of the NYSC.

 

“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform.

 

“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. 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,” Olawande said.

 

According to the minister, no final decision has been taken on the fabric or design of a new NYSC uniform.

 

He explained that the government is evaluating different options that meet key considerations, including professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness and the promotion of national pride.

 

“As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation,” he added.

 

The clarification followed comments the minister made earlier on Thursday during the television interview, where he appeared to indicate that Adire would replace the scheme’s traditional khaki uniform.

 

Responding to a question on whether the proposed new uniform would be produced locally, Olawande had said: “It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country.”

 

The remarks sparked widespread reports that the Federal Government had approved Adire as the new official NYSC uniform.

 

During the interview, the minister also disclosed that one of the reforms being introduced would see corps members posted to places of primary assignment based more closely on their academic background and professional skills.

 

“After you are leaving the camp, you are not just posted to a school just because NYSC wants you to be in school but because of the process you followed when in camp. That is going to give a framework of where you are going to be posted to,” he said.

 

In his statement, Olawande urged Nigerians not to allow discussions over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the NYSC reform agenda.

 

He said the reforms are aimed at making the scheme more relevant to current national realities by improving the employability of young Nigerians, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.

 

“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” the minister said.

 

He commended Nigerians for their constructive feedback and assured them that every proposal under the ongoing reforms would be carefully considered in the best interest of the country.