Nigerian youths urge Tinubu to halt NYSC reforms, warn of unity loss

Youth coalition leaders Abdulrahman Sani and Grace Nwafor have publicly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed National Youth Service Corps reforms and urged him to pause the process to allow broader stakeholder engagement before any irreversible changes are made.

They argue that shifting NYSC leadership from military to civilian and introducing a three‑phase orientation camp could erode the scheme’s historic role in fostering national unity, discipline, and emergency response.

They note that for over five decades NYSC has brought together young Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines, citing its vital role during the COVID‑19 pandemic, elections and disease outbreaks when corps members served on front lines.

The group also dismissed claims that the reforms introduce digital innovation, saying mobilisation, deployment and records have long been automated; the real issue is inadequate funding, infrastructure and welfare.

Instead of overhauling the leadership structure, the youths call for better funding, modern facilities and improved corps member welfare.

They urged the National Assembly to subject any amendment to the NYSC Act to extensive public hearings, insisting that reforms affecting generations of Nigerians should reflect the views of those who have built, managed and benefited from the scheme.

Will you support a call for broader consultation before altering NYSC, or do you believe the proposed civilian leadership and phased camp will strengthen the scheme?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/06/nysc-reforms-its-unfortunate-nigerian-youths-counter-tinubu/