NYSC overhaul: Shehu Sani kicks against replacing military leadership with civilians
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, argued on Tuesday that the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC should remain a military officer despite upcoming changes to the scheme.
Sani made it clear that while updating the national program is a welcome idea, the foundational element of military training must not be stripped away from the youth service.
Sharing his thoughts on X, the former lawmaker posted: “Reforming the NYSC is a good idea but we must not discard that element of military training. The DG of the NYSC should remain a soldier.”
He pointed out that the current security climate requires the country to double down on training its youths, adding, “In a nation facing serious security challenges, there is the need for even more rigorous military training at this material time.”
His remarks come on the heels of President Bola Tinubu approving a sweeping overhaul of the NYSC, aimed at modernizing the program, boosting participant welfare, and aligning it with national development goals.
Under the newly approved guidelines, a civilian will now lead the corps as Director General, though the military will retain its responsibility of protecting corps members nationwide.
To formalize these changes, the President directed Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi and Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande to immediately amend the NYSC Act and its regulatory frameworks.
The massive upgrade will introduce a tech-driven mobilization system, an automated safety risk-management framework, and a revamped six-week orientation camp focusing heavily on leadership, tech skills, and entrepreneurship.
