The Federal Government has confirmed that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will soon replace their traditional khaki uniforms with Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising the 53-year-old national service scheme and promoting local textile production.
The Federal Government has announced that the iconic khaki uniform worn by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members will be replaced with Adire fabric, marking one of the most visible changes under the comprehensive reforms recently approved for the scheme. The move is part of broader efforts to reposition the NYSC into a more skills-driven and economically relevant institution.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
According to the minister, the new Adire uniform will be produced locally to support Nigeria’s textile industry and ensure government spending directly benefits indigenous manufacturers.
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.
He also revealed that, under the ongoing reforms, corps members will increasingly be deployed according to their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds rather than the current general posting system.
The uniform change follows the Federal Executive Council (FEC)‘s approval of the first comprehensive reform of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
Other reforms include extending the orientation programme to six weeks, introducing skills-based deployment, civilian operational leadership, improved camp standards, technology-driven mobilisation, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade.
The government said the reforms are intended to transform the NYSC into a productivity-focused programme that better equips young Nigerians with practical skills while supporting the country’s economic development agenda.
Olawande dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, explaining that only the scheme’s operational leadership would become civilian-led, while the military would continue providing security and support during orientation camps.
He added that deployment policies are also being reviewed to improve corps members’ safety, particularly in areas facing security challenges.
The adoption of Adire as the official NYSC uniform represents one of the most symbolic aspects of the ongoing reforms. If successfully implemented, the initiative is expected to boost local manufacturing while giving the scheme a renewed identity as preparations begin for a new era of national service in Nigeria.