The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has debunked claims that the Federal Government has adopted adire for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform.
Ayodele disclosed this in a statement issued on his X handle on Thursday.
He stated that the speculation has been circulating across some media outlets following his brief appearance on Channels TV on Thursday morning, where he spoke about the ongoing NYSC reforms.
The minister acknowledged that he mentioned adire, but stressed that it was only one of the many options being considered.
“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 in the course of our consultations,” he said.
Ayodele explained that it was not an announcement that any particular fabric had been chosen to replace the existing one.
“It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform,” he said.
According to him, several options are still being considered to find the most suitable choice that ticks all the right boxes.
“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.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to focus on the ongoing NYSC reforms, noting that they are designed to make the scheme more relevant in today’s world by creating better employment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurial skills.
“I respectfully urge Nigerians to continue to engage with the ongoing NYSC reform conversation based on its broader objectives and the immense benefits it holds for our young people and our country.
“The reforms are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to today’s realities by improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers,” he said.
He acknowledged that conversations around the NYSC uniform are understandable, but said they should not distract Nigerians from the broader national development benefits the reforms are intended to deliver.
“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.
Ayodele thanked Nigerians for their constructive feedback and reaffirmed that every proposal would continue to be carefully considered in the nation’s best interest.
“I appreciate the constructive feedback and assure Nigerians that every proposal will continue to be carefully considered in the best interest of the nation,” he said.