By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), following widespread reactions to comments he made during a television interview.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, Olawande said reports claiming that Adire had been adopted to replace the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform misrepresented his remarks on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The minister explained that his reference to Adire and Ankara during the interview was merely to illustrate some of the proposals being considered as part of the ongoing reform of the NYSC scheme.
“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.
According to Olawande, no final decision has been taken on the choice of fabric or design, adding that the government is evaluating options that combine professionalism, durability, functionality, affordability, national identity and pride.
He noted that any eventual decision would emerge from extensive consultations with stakeholders and would be guided by what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the nation.
The minister also urged Nigerians not to allow discussions about the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms of the 53-year-old scheme.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC more relevant to contemporary realities by improving graduate employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and ensuring a smoother 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.
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The clarification comes days after the Federal Executive Council approved a comprehensive reform of the NYSC, including skills-based deployment of corps members, civilian operational leadership for the scheme and proposed amendments to the NYSC Act.
During his appearance on Channels Television, Olawande had mentioned Adire and Ankara as possible alternatives to the current khaki uniform, a comment that quickly gained traction on social media.
The suggestion generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians describing it as a misplaced priority and expressing concerns that it could favour one region of the country, while others argued that adopting locally produced fabrics could boost Nigeria’s textile industry, create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship.
Olawande, however, maintained that no decision had been reached on changing the NYSC uniform, stressing that consultations on the proposed reforms were still ongoing.
