A member of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that some of the changes could undermine the scheme’s core mandate of national unity and weaken Nigeria’s national defence policy.
Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State and serves as the Labour Party leader in the state, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
A member of the House Committees on Youth and Defence, the lawmaker described the NYSC as a strategic national institution that has, for over five decades, promoted unity, patriotism and national integration. He cautioned against restructuring the scheme in ways that, according to him, could compromise its founding ideals.
His remarks followed the Federal Government’s unveiling of the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
Announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the reforms include splitting the orientation camp into three phases, introducing 11 specialised career streams for prospective corps members, strengthening skills acquisition programmes, replacing the traditional khaki uniform with locally made attire and appointing a civilian, rather than a military officer, to head the scheme.
The proposed changes have continued to attract mixed reactions from stakeholders.
While acknowledging the need to modernise the NYSC, Agbese argued that the reforms should not diminish its role as a vehicle for national cohesion and security.
“Reducing NYSC to a skill acquisition training centre is not healthy for our national life,” he said.
He maintained that beyond youth development, the scheme has played a vital role in supporting critical national assignments, including education, healthcare delivery, elections and emergency response.
Agbese also opposed the proposal to place the scheme under civilian leadership, insisting that its military-style orientation fosters discipline, patriotism and national preparedness.
“Instilling military training in citizens is an international practice that must be sustained,” he stated.
The lawmaker called on President Tinubu to constitute a broader review committee comprising security experts, lawmakers, former NYSC officials, youth groups and other key stakeholders to reassess the proposals before implementation.
Established on May 22, 1973, by the administration of General Yakubu Gowon, the NYSC was designed as a post-Civil War reconciliation initiative to promote national unity, encourage cultural integration and deploy graduates to areas with critical manpower needs across the country.
