The Federal Government’s newly approved reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) splits the orientation programme into three distinct phases and introduces 11 specialised career streams that corps members will select from at registration, according to details provided by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, on Monday.

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved the comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old scheme, with the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, describing it as the first holistic review of NYSC since it was established in 1973.

Briefing State House correspondents alongside Olawande after the FEC meeting in Abuja, Usman gave further details on how the reform would restructure the orientation camp experience and reshape how corps members are trained and deployed.

Here is all you need to know about the new structure:

The orientation camp now runs in three phases

The orientation programme, extended from three weeks to six, will be broken into three two-week phases, Usman said.

The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values and leadership development.

The next two weeks will cover career mapping, basic accounting and financial literacy, business planning and access to finance.

“And then we intend to introduce a structured career day programme to enable COP members engage directly with the public,” she stated.

The final two weeks — which Usman described as a “minimal period” — will be dedicated to stream-specific training aligned with each corps member’s designated stream, based on their choice, academic background and skill profile.

The 11 specialised streams

Under the new framework, every corps member will be required to pick one of 11 specialised streams upon registration. Usman listed them as:

1. Agric Corps
2. Medical Corps
3. Education Corps
4. Tech and Digital Corps
5. Legal Corps
6. Public Service Corps
7. Infrastructure Corps
8. Green Corps
9. Enterprise Corps
10. Creative Economy Corps
11. Paramilitary and Security Corps

Once a corps member registers under a stream, they will be recognised accordingly — for instance, as a member of the Medical Corps — and will receive specialised training tailored to that stream during the final two weeks of orientation.

Usman said the streams were designed to equip graduates with practical skills tailored to their academic backgrounds, career interests and the needs of Nigeria’s workforce.

Deployment will now factor in security realities

Usman said the reform also reviews how corps members are posted across states, with greater consideration given to prevailing security challenges in different parts of the country. This builds on the “risk-sensitive deployment” Olawande had earlier described as part of the broader reform package.

Leadership changes from military to civilian

NYSC will now be headed by a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members nationwide — a structure Usman said reflects the administration’s broader push to build the human capital needed for a $1 trillion economy.

New uniform and graduation ceremony

The reform also introduces a redesigned NYSC uniform “that reflects professionalism and national pride,” Olawande said, replacing the current outfit corps members have worn since the scheme’s creation. The Passing Out Parade will also be scrapped in favour of a new graduation ceremony.

Camp standards nationwide will be upgraded through a national grading and certification system, according to Olawande, as part of efforts to standardise the orientation experience across all NYSC camps.

Why now

Usman said the reform touches “all the strategic aspects” of NYSC — from registration and deployment modalities to camp duration and recognition of corps members’ skill sets — and represents the first holistic review of the scheme in its 53-year history.

The FEC has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, working with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to give legal backing to the approved changes.

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The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has congratulated Osasere Okundaye on emerging as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 16.

In a statement on Monday, Olawande described the feat as a remarkable demonstration of hard work, discipline, resilience and commitment to excellence.

“I heartily congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on her outstanding achievement of becoming Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountant at just 16 years of age.

“This remarkable milestone is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” the minister said.

He noted that Okundaye had become a shining example of the limitless potential of Nigerian youths, saying her achievement should inspire others to pursue excellence.

“Osasere has distinguished herself as a shining example of the limitless potential of Nigerian youth. Her accomplishment reminds us that with determination, dedication, and the right support, young Nigerians can break barriers, set new records, and inspire a generation to dream bigger and strive for excellence,” he added.

The minister also congratulated her parents, family, teachers and mentors for supporting her journey.

“I also congratulate her parents, family, teachers, mentors, and everyone who has supported and guided her journey. Their encouragement, sacrifices, and belief in her abilities have undoubtedly contributed to this exceptional success,” he said.

Olawande reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through programmes and policies aimed at helping them realise their potential.

“Osasere’s achievement reinforces our confidence that the future of Nigeria is bright in the hands of focused, determined, and talented young citizens,” he said.

He wished the teenager greater success in the years ahead, expressing hope that her story would inspire millions of young Nigerians.

Okundaye earned the feat after qualifying as a chartered accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, becoming the youngest person to achieve the professional qualification in the country.

Her achievement surpasses the previous record set in 2022 by Jonathan Adewale, who became Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 17 after completing the rigorous ICAN professional examinations.

The qualification, which is typically obtained by graduates and professionals after years of study and examinations, has been widely regarded as one of the country’s most demanding professional certifications.

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The National Association of Nigerian Students has announced the reinstatement of the suspended Students’ Union Government President of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) , James Adio.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed this in a post on X on Wednesday, after it disclosed that university’s Senate would consider Adio’s suspension following what it described as high-level engagement with the institution’s management.

“Finally, Comrade Adio, the FUOYE SUG President, has been officially reinstated,” Babatunde wrote.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that NANS said it secured the reinstatement of some previously suspended students after discussions with the university authorities.

According to the student body, the intervention followed sustained talks with the management over disciplinary actions taken against some students.

Babatunde had said, “The University Senate will convene on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, to give Comrade James Adio fair consideration and the necessary support that will serve both the interest of justice and his academic pursuits going forward.”

He also stated that the affected students had been reinstated and allowed to sit for their examinations.

Adio was earlier suspended alongside two other students over alleged financial irregularities linked to practical fees, a decision that sparked criticism from NANS.

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