Youth minister says no decision on new NYSC uniform

The Nigerian government has clarified that no final decision has been made to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform, following widespread reports that the traditional khaki would be swapped for locally made Adire fabric. Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande issued a statement on Thursday, July 2, 2026, explaining that his earlier televised comments were misconstrued.

Olawande said that during an interview on Channels Television, he cited Adire and Ankara fabrics merely as examples of proposals under consideration as part of broader reforms to the NYSC scheme. He emphasized that no particular fabric has been adopted or approved. The minister stated that any decision on a new uniform will be guided by criteria including professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride, following extensive stakeholder engagement.

The clarification seeks to refocus public attention on the wider objectives of the NYSC overhaul, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council earlier in the week. The reforms represent the first major review of the program since its establishment in 1973. Key...