The Federal Government has unveiled plans to replace the iconic National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with attire made from locally produced Adire fabric, as part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s textile industry and promote indigenous products.
The proposal is one of several reforms being considered for the NYSC scheme as the government seeks to reposition the programme for greater economic and national impact.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the move is intended to ensure that government spending supports local industries rather than foreign manufacturers.
According to the minister, Adire is already being produced in various parts of the country and has the capacity to meet the scheme’s needs.
“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.”
Olawande explained that adopting Adire for NYSC uniforms would stimulate Nigeria’s textile sector, create jobs for local artisans and manufacturers, and encourage greater patronage of homegrown products.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader drive to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods while reducing dependence on imported materials.
Beyond the proposed uniform change, the minister disclosed that the government is reviewing the NYSC posting system to ensure corps members are deployed based on their academic qualifications, professional skills and areas of expertise.
According to him, the goal is to make the scheme more productive by matching graduates with roles where they can make meaningful contributions while gaining relevant work experience.
The proposed reforms are part of the ongoing overhaul of the NYSC, which the government says is aimed at making the 52-year-old scheme more responsive to Nigeria’s economic and workforce development needs.
