West Africa Coordinator of Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), Akoshile Mukhtar, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing them as a bold investment in youth development nationwide.

Mr Mukhtar, in a statement Tuesday in Abuja, said the Federal Executive Council’s approval showed that youth empowerment remained a central pillar of the administration’s development agenda and long-term national planning priorities.

He said that the new policy represented the most significant transformation of the NYSC in 50 years, aligning the scheme with modern labour market demands, digital technology trends, and evolving national development priorities.

According to Mr Mukhtar, the reforms reflect visionary leadership and demonstrate that government is responsive to the aspirations of young Nigerians, particularly in areas of employment, skills development, and innovation-driven growth opportunities.

The youth leader also hailed the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for sustained advocacy and commitment to youth-centred governance, noting that his leadership had consistently advanced impactful youth-focused national policies.

He explained that the minister continued to champion programmes designed to equip young Nigerian graduates with leadership capacity, innovation skills, and practical tools required for effective participation in public service and economic development.

Mr Mukhtar welcomed the digitalisation of the NYSC call-up process, stating that it would enhance transparency, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen administrative accountability across all mobilisation and deployment processes within the scheme.

He also commended the revised orientation curriculum, focusing on digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and vocational training, describing it as essential for preparing corps members to compete effectively in today’s rapidly changing economy.

“The overhauled framework will align primary assignments with academic backgrounds, which will maximise workplace productivity and enhance overall career readiness for participants,” he said.

He further stated that the upgrade of orientation camps and redesign of corps members’ uniforms would restore pride, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose among serving participants nationwide.

Mr Mukhtar added that the reforms positioned the NYSC as a continental model for youth service innovation, capable of inspiring similar programmes across Africa focused on skills, employment, and national integration.

He urged the National Assembly to expedite passage of necessary legislative amendments, calling on private sector actors and development partners to support effective implementation of the reforms nationwide.

(NAN)