Tuesday, Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central, stated that the head of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ought to be a military.
Despite the merits of the reforms, Sani argued that the NYSC should retain its military training component.
It is imperative that we do not remove that component of military training when reworking the NYSC, the ex-lawmaker wrote in an X post.It is imperative that the DG of the NYSC remain a soldier.
There needs to be even more severe military training right now in a country that is facing major security challenges.
This comes after President Bola Tinubu approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service (NYSC), which will modernise the program, enhance participant experiences, and bring it in line with current national development goals.
The changes include civilian leadership of the NYSC with continued military support for corps members’ safety around the nation.
In addition, the President instructed Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth Development, to immediately implement the approved changes by revising the NYSC Act and associated regulations to reflect them.
A new six-week training program with an increased emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital tool use, and career routes is being implemented, along with a system that meticulously manages risks to ensure the safety of corps members. Additionally, a new method of calling people via technology is being implemented.