Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, has backtracked on his earlier announcement that the federal government would replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with locally made adire fabric.
Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, had said
the government was planning to replace the current NYSC Khaki uniform with
locally made adire fabrics to promote locally made products and support
Nigeria’s textile industry.
“It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have
them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our
money back into the country,” Olawande said in an interview on Channels
Television.
The announcement came after the federal executive council
(FEC) approved key reforms for the one-year national service programme at its
meeting on Monday.
After the FEC meeting, Olawande said the council retained
the one-year duration of the scheme while approving seven major reforms,
including digitalisation, a change in the leadership structure from military to
civilians, and a redesigned uniform.
‘NO FABRIC HAS BEEN ADOPTED’
But in a statement on his X page later on Thursday, the
minister backtracked, saying his reference to Adire was only illustrative and
that no fabric has been approved to replace the current NYSC khaki.
“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following
my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing
reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue
of the proposed uniform,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during
the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite
examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of
our consultations.
“It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has
been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
The minister said the government is still weighing different
options, noting that any eventual decision would be guided by extensive
stakeholder engagement.
“For the record, what we are considering are different
options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a
unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and
the projection of national pride. No final decision has been taken on the
fabric or design,” he said.
“As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any
eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what
best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation.”
The minister urged Nigerians to focus on the broader
objectives of the ongoing reforms, saying they are intended to improve
employability, promote entrepreneurship, strengthen national integration,
enhance service delivery, and ease the transition from education to productive
careers.
“While conversations around the uniform are understandable,
they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering
millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for
national development,” he said.
“I appreciate the constructive feedback and assure Nigerians
that every proposal will continue to be carefully considered in the best
interest of the nation.”
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