Minister Olawande Calls for Reform in NYSC Orientation Camps to Prioritize Corps Members’ Well-being

In a bold call for reform, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to review and modernize its orientation program to better suit the health, productivity, and aspirations of contemporary Nigerian graduates. Speaking at the 2025 Annual NYSC Management Conference held in Abuja on Monday, Olawande emphasized the need for corps members to receive adequate rest during the mandatory 21-day orientation camp, particularly by revising the early morning drill schedule.

The conference, themed “Transforming the NYSC Scheme to Address the Needs of Modern Nigerian Graduates and Society”, served as a platform for stakeholders to evaluate and reshape the NYSC program, which has remained a cornerstone of Nigeria’s youth development policy for over five decades.

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Rethinking the Early Drills: A Push for Practical Change

One of the minister’s key recommendations was to adjust the daily camp schedule, particularly the starting time of morning drills, which currently commence as early as 4:00 am. Olawande suggested a more reasonable start time of 7:00 am, arguing that the current system places unnecessary physical and mental strain on corps members, potentially affecting their overall engagement and output during the program.

“The NYSC members should be allowed to start their drilling by 7:00 am and not 4:00 am,” the minister said, questioning the core value of early morning drilling in an era that demands innovation, critical thinking, and adaptability from young graduates.

“Is drilling the purpose for us to do things? Of what purpose is drilling to us?” he asked rhetorically, stressing that while physical fitness and discipline remain important, they should not overshadow the scheme’s broader mission of fostering unity, nation-building, and skill development.

Olawande’s position aligns with growing concerns from both corps members and education advocates, who argue that the NYSC camp routine is outdated and does not reflect the evolving needs of Nigeria’s dynamic youth population.

Beyond Routines: Preparing Graduates for the Real World

The minister didn’t stop at scheduling changes. He challenged the entire structure of the orientation program, noting that the current model does little to enhance employability or prepare graduates for the demands of the modern workforce.

“We talk about unity in diversity. We are bringing them together in unity, and that is the major purpose,” Olawande said. “But how can we stay on that purpose while still embracing innovation?”

He stressed the need for corps members to be active mentally and intellectually, engaging in activities that promote research, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and creativity during the short but critical three-week orientation period.

“Since when we’ve been drilling, are we viable in the job market?” he asked. “We can’t continue to be putting people out every year—480,000 every year—and see no improvement.”

He lamented that despite the large number of graduates mobilized annually through the NYSC scheme, there’s been little transformation in terms of job creation, skill acquisition, or national development. “There’s no job, there is no house, there is no institution that you keep on doing the same thing every time, and if you want a different result, you cannot have it,” Olawande declared.

Innovative Thinking for a New Era

The minister proposed that the NYSC program should look beyond traditional frameworks and adopt new strategies that reflect 21st-century realities. He emphasized a departure from a regimented, drill-centric approach towards one that equips youth for a competitive job market.

“We want to even think outside the bus,” he remarked humorously, perhaps intentionally altering the popular “think outside the box” idiom to drive home his point on innovation and practical transformation.

According to him, this strategic shift will not only enhance the personal development of corps members but also rejuvenate the commitment of NYSC officials and stakeholders. “That is why you see all these directors. I can tell you, they have the energy. Now, the energy is back, and they want to do the right thing—not that they were not doing the right thing before—but they want to do it more,” he affirmed.

Stakeholder Reactions and the Road Ahead

While the NYSC scheme has remained a symbol of national unity since its inception in 1973, it has come under scrutiny in recent years for failing to evolve in tandem with Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. Olawande’s proposals, though bold, may spark debate among traditionalists within the scheme’s hierarchy who value the militaristic structure and discipline instilled by the orientation camp.

Nonetheless, his comments reflect a growing consensus that youth policy must be restructured to meet the actual needs of Nigeria’s young people—not just in rhetoric, but in tangible, life-changing terms.

As discussions continue, it is expected that the NYSC leadership will begin reviewing some of these recommendations, particularly as pressure mounts to modernize the program and make it more responsive to employment challenges, innovation demands, and the well-being of corps members.

Olawande’s call is not just a demand for reform; it is a vision for a more meaningful, efficient, and responsive NYSC program—one that supports the next generation of Nigerian leaders to not just serve, but also succeed.