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), saying reports suggesting otherwise misrepresented his comments.
The clarification came after media reports claimed the minister 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 platforms, Olawande explained that he only mentioned Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals being considered as part of ongoing reforms of the NYSC scheme.
According to him, his remarks were never intended to confirm that any fabric had been adopted as the corps’ new uniform.
“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. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform,” he stated.
The minister said the government is still reviewing various options, with emphasis on professional appearance, durability, functionality, affordability, national identity and support for local industries.
He stressed that no final decision has been taken on the design or material for any new NYSC uniform.
During the television interview, Olawande had, in response to a question on local production, highlighted Adire as a Nigerian-made fabric, noting that it is produced in states such as Ogun and Kwara, and saying the country should support its textile industry.
However, he maintained in his clarification that discussions about a possible uniform change should not distract from the broader reform agenda for the NYSC.
According to him, the ongoing reforms are focused on making the scheme more relevant by improving youth employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and ensuring a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
He added that while public interest in the proposed uniform is understandable, the larger goal is to reposition the NYSC as a stronger platform for youth empowerment and national development.
