By SUNTV Global Channel | July 2, 2026
The Federal Government has clarified that it has not approved the replacement of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric, following widespread reports suggesting that such a decision had already been made.
Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday, explaining that his earlier comments during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief had been misunderstood.
According to the minister, references to Adire and Ankara during the interview were merely examples of proposals currently under consideration as part of the ongoing NYSC reform process and did not amount to an official policy announcement.
“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my television interview regarding the ongoing NYSC reforms, particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform,” Olawande said.
He stressed that no final decision has been reached on changing the NYSC uniform.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned both Adire and Ankara only as examples of ideas that have been proposed during consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted to replace the current khaki uniform,” he explained.
The minister noted that the government is still reviewing various proposals based on factors such as professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, affordability, and the promotion of local industries.
He added that any eventual decision would be made after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and in the best interest of the NYSC and the country.
Earlier reports had suggested that the Federal Government planned to replace the traditional khaki uniform with Adire to encourage local textile production. During the television interview, Olawande highlighted the importance of supporting Nigerian-made fabrics and boosting the domestic economy.
Beyond the uniform discussion, the minister reaffirmed that the government is implementing broader reforms aimed at modernising the NYSC scheme.
The proposed reforms include deploying corps members based on their academic qualifications and professional skills, improving security by posting participants to more familiar environments where appropriate, and strengthening entrepreneurship and employability programmes.
Olawande also dismissed reports that the military would be removed from the NYSC, stating that the armed forces will continue to play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of corps members, even as the scheme adopts a more civilian-led operational structure.
The reforms were recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), with the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development directed to begin the legal processes required to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the ongoing NYSC reform programme.
