A legal practitioner and public policy analyst, Liborous Oshoma, has maintained that the Federal Government cannot lawfully implement the proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) without first amending the law establishing the scheme through the National Assembly.
Oshoma made the assertion during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, while reacting to the sweeping reforms recently approved for the NYSC by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
President Bola Tinubu had, following the June 30 FEC meeting, approved what has been described as the most comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment more than five decades ago.
Among the proposed reforms are the extension of the orientation programme from three weeks to six weeks, with the training divided into three phases focusing on leadership development, career readiness and specialised skills.
The package also introduces 11 specialised service streams aimed at equipping corps members with practical skills aligned with their academic backgrounds and career aspirations.
While acknowledging the need to modernise the scheme, Oshoma argued that reforms affecting the structure and operations of the NYSC must comply with constitutional and legislative procedures because the programme was established by an Act of the National Assembly.
“The NYSC is a creation of law. If you want to reform it, those reforms must also take the form of amendments to the law,” he said.
According to him, although the federal government has the authority to initiate reforms, it cannot unilaterally introduce changes that contradict or alter provisions already contained in the NYSC Act.
He stressed that executive approval alone is insufficient to modify the statutory framework governing the scheme, insisting that any significant institutional changes require legislative backing.
Using the appointment of the NYSC Director-General as an example, Oshoma explained that where the law specifies that the office must be occupied by a serving military officer, the government cannot appoint someone outside that provision without first amending the legislation.
He urged the government to complement the reform process with broad stakeholder consultations before forwarding any amendment bill to the National Assembly.
According to him, discussions should involve universities, serving corps members, prospective participants and other stakeholders whose contributions could strengthen the proposed reforms and build public confidence.
Oshoma also encouraged lawmakers to begin consultations with their constituents to gauge public opinion on the planned changes, noting that young Nigerians should play a central role in shaping reforms that directly affect them.
He criticised what he described as the recurring tendency of older political leaders to make decisions on behalf of young people without adequately seeking their input.
“You cannot create policies for young people without listening to them. Their perspectives should form part of the reform process,” he said.
The legal practitioner attributed growing public scepticism over the proposed reforms to a widening trust deficit between the government and citizens.
He noted that many Nigerians have become suspicious of government initiatives regardless of their intentions, adding that such distrust has coloured public reactions to the planned NYSC overhaul.
Despite concerns surrounding the reforms, Oshoma defended the continued relevance of the NYSC, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most successful national integration initiatives.
He argued that the programme has created employment opportunities for many graduates while fostering unity among Nigerians from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Rather than scrapping the scheme, he said it should be continuously reviewed to reflect changing realities and address emerging national challenges.
Oshoma also expressed support for the government’s proposal to explore the use of locally produced fabrics for NYSC uniforms, urging Nigerians to focus on the economic benefits rather than ethnic sentiments.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, had recently suggested that locally made Adire fabric could replace the traditional khaki uniform, although he later clarified that no final decision had been taken and that Adire was mentioned only as an example.
Commenting on the debate, Oshoma said indigenous fabrics such as Adire, Aso Oke and Isi Agu should be viewed as national assets capable of stimulating local manufacturing, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imported textiles.
He argued that institutions like the NYSC could significantly boost Nigeria’s textile industry by prioritising locally produced materials for uniforms and other official uses.
Drawing comparisons with Ghana’s successful promotion of Kente fabric, Oshoma said Nigeria should embrace its indigenous textiles as symbols of national pride rather than subjects of ethnic controversy.
He maintained that reforms capable of strengthening local industries should be encouraged, provided they comply with existing laws and enjoy broad public participation.
According to him, institutions must evolve with changing times, but such evolution should always follow due process and reflect the aspirations of the people they are designed to serve.
