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), explaining that his earlier comments were misinterpreted.
The clarification follows widespread media reports suggesting that the minister had announced the replacement of the NYSC’s traditional khaki uniform with Adire during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
In a statement shared on his official social media accounts shortly after the interview, Olawande explained that he only mentioned Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals currently being considered as part of the ongoing review of the NYSC scheme.
“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform,” the minister said.
He added:
“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward during our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
No Final Decision Yet
Olawande emphasized that the government is still evaluating several proposals for a possible new NYSC uniform.
According to him, the options under consideration are being assessed based on key factors, including professional appearance, durability, functionality, affordability, national identity, and support for Nigeria’s local textile industry.
“For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride,” he said.
He stressed that no final decision has been made regarding the fabric or design of any new NYSC uniform.
Earlier Remarks Sparked Speculation
During his appearance on Channels Television, the minister was asked whether any redesigned NYSC uniform would be produced locally.
In response, he highlighted Adire as a locally made fabric, saying Nigeria has textile producers in states such as Ogun and Kwara, and noted the importance of supporting domestic industries by ensuring government spending benefits local manufacturers.
Those remarks led to widespread reports that the Federal Government had already approved Adire to replace the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform.
Focus Should Remain on NYSC Reforms
The minister urged Nigerians not to allow the discussion over the proposed uniform to distract from the broader objectives of the ongoing NYSC reforms.
He explained that the reform agenda is designed to make the scheme more relevant to national development by improving graduate employability, encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening national unity, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
The Federal Government is currently reviewing various aspects of the NYSC as part of a broader effort to reposition the scheme to better meet the country’s evolving social and economic needs.
