THE Federal Government has clarified that no final decision has been made to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire, following widespread reactions to earlier comments by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
In a statement released today via his official X account, Olawande explained that reports claiming Adire had already been adopted as the new NYSC uniform were inaccurate and did not reflect what he said during his appearance on Channels TV.
According to the minister, his reference to Adire and Ankara during the interview was intended only as an example of proposals currently being considered as part of the government’s ongoing reform of the NYSC.
He stressed that no fabric or design has received official approval.
Olawande noted that his comments were never meant to announce a replacement for the existing khaki uniform. Instead, they highlighted some of the suggestions emerging from consultations surrounding the reform process.
He added that the government is evaluating options based on several factors, including professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, affordability, and the ability to promote national pride.
He emphasized that any eventual decision would follow broad stakeholder engagement and would prioritize the interests of both the NYSC and the country.
The minister also urged Nigerians not to allow discussions about the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the reform initiative.
He explained that the planned changes are aimed at making the NYSC more relevant by improving graduate employability, encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening national unity, enhancing service delivery, and supporting a smoother transition from education into productive careers.
Earlier reports had suggested that the Federal Government planned to introduce locally produced Adire as the official NYSC uniform to support Nigeria’s textile industry and retain government spending within the local economy.
The proposed uniform change was presented as one aspect of the comprehensive reforms recently approved for the 53-year-old NYSC scheme.
Other proposed reforms include skills-based deployment of corps members, the introduction of civilian operational leadership, and amendments to the NYSC Act.
However, the minister has now clarified that no final decision has been reached regarding the corps members’ uniform.
