The Federal Government has announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of a sweeping reform aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting indigenous industries.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.

According to the minister, the adoption of Adire is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry by ensuring government spending supports local manufacturers.

ALSO READ: FG Approves Biggest NYSC Overhaul in 53 Years, Introduces Civilian Leadership, New Uniform

“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.

The minister also revealed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would see corps members posted based on their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds.

Under the new arrangement, graduates with education-related qualifications will be deployed to schools, while others will be assigned to sectors that align with their areas of study to improve productivity and national development.

Addressing security concerns, Olawande said the Federal Government is considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges.

He noted that the move would reduce concerns among parents and corps members while making deployments more practical.

He further dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception.

According to him, while the scheme’s operational leadership will become civilian-led, the military will continue to play a key role in providing security and supporting the orientation programme.

The reforms follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old NYSC scheme.

As part of the process, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to facilitate the implementation of the reforms.

The Federal Government said the changes are designed to transform the NYSC into a skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth empowerment institution that supports its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.

Nigeria has secured a fresh $1.25 billion financing package from the World Bank to support ongoing economic reforms, boost private sector investment and create more jobs across the country.

The funding was approved under the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (NAIJA) programme and forms part of the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, which will run from 2026 to 2032.

ALSO READ: Dangote Champions Infrastructure, Job Creation as Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth at IMF/World Bank Meetings

According to the World Bank, the financing is designed to help Nigeria remove barriers to private investment, improve the business environment and lay the foundation for faster, more inclusive economic growth.

The programme will support reforms across critical sectors, including the capital market, digital economy, power sector, agriculture, trade liberalisation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as domestic revenue mobilisation.

The global financial institution said the initiative is expected to expand electricity access to about 32 million Nigerians, provide broadband connectivity for 58 million people, improve health and nutrition services for 40 million citizens, and support approximately 9.5 million farmers.

The World Bank added that its six-year Country Partnership Framework is focused on mobilising private capital, strengthening economic resilience and creating productive jobs while supporting investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, human capital and agricultural productivity.

Speaking on the approval, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the framework builds on Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic reforms, which have contributed to stronger economic growth, improved public revenues and renewed investor confidence.

He stressed that sustaining the reform agenda would be crucial to unlocking the country’s full economic potential and creating more opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

The latest financing package is expected to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate economic reforms, attract investment and promote long-term, private sector-led growth.

Security operatives at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, have successfully repelled another attack by suspected gunmen, killing one of the assailants during a fierce exchange of gunfire.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday when the armed men reportedly attempted to breach the institute’s security perimeter.

However, security personnel swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a gun battle that forced them to retreat.

SEE ALSO: Gunmen Kill Ex-Ogun State Broadcaster, Security Guard in Early Morning Attack

In a statement issued on Thursday by the institute’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Osime Samuel, NIPSS confirmed that one of the suspected attackers was neutralised, while several others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

The institute said the attackers failed to gain access to its premises, assuring that participants of the Senior Executive Course, staff, residents, and facilities remained safe throughout the incident.

According to the statement, security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects while strengthening surveillance and other proactive security measures within and around the institution.

NIPSS reaffirmed that the safety of lives and property remains its top priority and commended the prompt response and professionalism displayed by security operatives during the attack.

The institute also urged members of the public to disregard misinformation capable of causing unnecessary panic.

The latest assault comes just weeks after another failed attempt by gunmen to infiltrate the prestigious policy institute, raising fresh concerns over recurring security threats in the area.