Nigeria’s Youth Minister, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the government has not yet approved Adire as the new uniform for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), following widespread public debate.
His comments come hours after an interview on Channels Television led to reports suggesting the traditional, tie-dye fabric had already been selected to replace the iconic khaki uniform.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Mr. Olawande said his remarks had been misinterpreted and that Adire was merely one of several proposals currently under consideration.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design,” the minister said. “My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations.”
Seeking a ‘National Identity’
The 53-year-old NYSC scheme is currently undergoing sweeping reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council earlier this week.
Mr. Olawande stated that the government is looking for a uniform that balances a professional outlook with a “unique national identity”, while also being durable, functional, and cost-effective.
During his television appearance, the minister had enthusiastically mentioned Adire as a way to boost Nigeria’s local textile industry and keep government spending within the domestic economy.
However, he urged Nigerians not to let the debate over clothing overshadow the broader, more critical goals of the NYSC overhaul.
Beyond the Khaki
The proposed changes represent some of the most significant reforms to the youth scheme since its inception in 1973.
According to the minister, the restructuring aims to better prepare Nigerian graduates for the modern workforce. The reforms include:
- Skills-based deployment to ensure corps members are placed in sectors relevant to their training.
- Enhanced entrepreneurship programmes to combat youth unemployment.
- Civilian operational leadership for the scheme.
- Amendments to the NYSC Act to streamline its legal framework.
“The reforms are designed to make the scheme more relevant to today’s realities,” Mr Olawande added, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to create a smoother transition from education to productive careers for millions of young Nigerians.
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