Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has clarified his earlier remarks suggesting that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would replace its traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric, stating that no final decision has been taken on the proposed redesign.
Olawande had earlier indicated that the Federal Government was considering adopting Adire as part of ongoing reforms to the NYSC, saying the move would promote local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.
However, in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, the minister explained that his comments had been misconstrued, stressing that Adire was mentioned only as one of several ideas under consideration.
“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,” he said.
Olawande noted that Ankara was also mentioned during the television interview as another example, adding that the government is still evaluating multiple options for a possible redesign.
According to him, any new uniform must meet key requirements, including a professional appearance, durability, functionality, affordability and the ability to reflect Nigeria’s national identity and pride.
He emphasised that no fabric or design has received official approval and that any eventual decision would be based on extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The clarification comes days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a broad package of reforms for the NYSC, including the retention of the one-year service period, the digitalisation of the scheme, changes to its leadership structure and a proposed redesign of the corps members’ uniform.
The minister urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the reforms, which he said are aimed at improving youth employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national unity, enhancing service delivery and preparing young graduates for productive careers.
He also thanked members of the public for their feedback, assuring them that every proposal under the NYSC reform agenda would be carefully assessed before any final decisions are made.
