NYSC Deployments to Insecure States Will Be Based on Risk Assessment — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), declaring that the deployment of corps members to security-challenged states will henceforth be guided by thorough security risk assessments to better safeguard participants.

The reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), represent the most significant restructuring of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973. They include extending the orientation programme from three to six weeks, appointing a civilian as Director-General, introducing specialised career tracks, and transforming the scheme into a platform focused on skills acquisition, employability and entrepreneurship.

In a statement shared on his verified X account on Wednesday, President Tinubu said the reforms are part of his administration’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians while strengthening governance, standards and the relevance of the NYSC.

“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Scheme since its establishment in 1973,” the President said.

He recalled that on the day of his inauguration, he pledged to prioritise women and young people in his administration, describing the reforms as part of fulfilling that promise.

“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. But the Nigeria of today demands more,” Tinubu stated.

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“Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed; they are the engine of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation.”

A major highlight of the reforms is a new risk-based deployment policy, under which corps members will only be posted to states experiencing security challenges after comprehensive assessments by relevant authorities.

The policy comes amid growing concerns over the safety of corps members following incidents of kidnapping, violent attacks and insecurity in some parts of the country. The Federal Government says the new approach is intended to balance the NYSC’s national integration mandate with the need to protect participants.

President Tinubu also reaffirmed that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General, ending the long-standing practice of appointing serving military officers to oversee the scheme.

Another major change is the expansion of the orientation programme from three weeks to six weeks. According to the President, the new structure is designed to provide corps members with practical knowledge and workplace skills before they begin their primary assignments.

The first phase of the programme will focus on civic responsibility, leadership, national values and personal development. The second phase will provide training in career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and financial management, while the final phase will offer specialised instruction tailored to participants’ academic qualifications and career aspirations.

To support this new approach, the Federal Government has introduced 11 specialised career streams, allowing corps members to receive sector-specific training in agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative economy, and paramilitary/security services.

The reforms also include the introduction of a national grading and certification system for orientation camps, a redesign of the NYSC uniform and the replacement of the traditional Passing-Out Parade with a graduation ceremony that reflects the enhanced focus on learning and professional development.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, had earlier explained that the reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council after extensive consultations and are aimed at making the NYSC more responsive to Nigeria’s evolving economic and workforce needs.

The Federal Government also plans to amend the NYSC Act to provide the legal framework required for the full implementation of the reforms.

With the changes, the Tinubu administration says the NYSC will evolve from a mobilisation programme into a national development platform that equips graduates with the skills, experience and entrepreneurial capacity needed to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth while ensuring their safety during national service.

NYSC Deployments to Insecure States Will Be Based on Risk Assessment — Tinubu

Court Admits Diezani’s UK Acquittal as Evidence in Asset Forfeiture Suit Against EFCC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, permission to present fresh evidence of her acquittal by a United Kingdom court in her ongoing legal battle against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the forfeiture of her assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the ruling on Wednesday after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, moved a motion seeking leave to file a supplementary affidavit containing details of her recent acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London.

The application was not opposed by the EFCC.

Although the commission’s counsel, Mofesomo Oyetibo (SAN), argued that the application merely sought to notify the court of the UK judgment and would not materially affect the proceedings, he confirmed that the anti-graft agency had no objection to the request.

Justice Ekwo subsequently granted the application and adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026, when the court will hear both the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit together.

The development marks another milestone in the legal dispute between the former minister and the anti-corruption agency over the permanent forfeiture and proposed auction of properties allegedly linked to her.

According to court documents filed by her legal team, led by senior lawyer Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Diezani Alison-Madueke argued that her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court on June 17, 2026, is a significant development that should be considered by the Nigerian court.

The former minister was discharged and acquitted of all criminal allegations of bribery brought against her by UK authorities after a lengthy trial.

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Her legal team maintained that the verdict reinforces her position that she has not been convicted of any criminal offence and that the EFCC should not be permitted to permanently deprive her of her assets without due process.

The supplementary affidavit further argued that the UK court’s decision is directly relevant to issues before the Federal High Court, particularly regarding absence of conviction, fair hearing, due process, and compliance with statutory procedures governing the forfeiture and disposal of property.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, was instituted by Diezani to challenge the EFCC’s public notice announcing the planned auction and disposal of properties and personal effects allegedly belonging to her.

She contends that the anti-graft agency moved to permanently forfeit the assets without first obtaining a criminal conviction or affording her an adequate opportunity to defend her ownership rights.

Her lawyers also argued that irreversible deprivation of property without strict adherence to constitutional and statutory safeguards violates her proprietary rights.

Diezani had amended her originating motion in February 2025 following leave granted by the court.

The acquittal followed a high-profile corruption trial at the Southwark Crown Court in London.

The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) had accused the former Nigerian petroleum minister of receiving bribes from oil executives in exchange for influencing the award of lucrative oil contracts between 2011 and 2015.

Prosecutors alleged that the benefits included luxury London properties, expensive home renovations, private jet travel, designer shopping and other lavish gifts.

However, after hearing the evidence, the jury acquitted Diezani Alison-Madueke of all charges on June 17, 2026, bringing an end to one of the UK’s longest-running international corruption prosecutions involving a former Nigerian public official.

With Wednesday’s ruling, the Federal High Court will now consider the UK acquittal as part of the evidence in determining whether the EFCC lawfully forfeited and sought to auction the former minister’s assets.

The case is expected to resume on October 6, 2026, when the court will hear arguments on the EFCC’s preliminary objection alongside the substantive suit.

Court Admits Diezani’s UK Acquittal as Evidence in Asset Forfeiture Suit Against EFCC

MURIC Commends NSCIA Over Appointment of Abbas Jimoh as Spokesperson

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has applauded the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for appointing veteran journalist Abbas Jimoh as its spokesperson, describing the decision as a commendable step that reflects inclusivity, transparency and merit.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, said the council had chosen the right person for the role, expressing confidence in Jimoh’s ability to effectively manage the organisation’s public communication.

Akintola noted that Jimoh’s extensive experience in journalism makes him well suited for the position, adding that he possesses the expertise and professionalism required to represent the country’s apex Islamic body.

According to him, the newly appointed spokesperson is well acquainted with the workings of the media and has the capacity to navigate the challenges associated with public communication.

“Mr. Abbas Jimoh is a veteran journalist who knows the straights and bends of the Fourth Estate of the Realm. We have no scintilla of doubt that he has the required experience to weather any storm in the pen profession,” Akintola stated.

He further described Jimoh as “a square peg in a square hole,” saying his appointment was based on merit and competence.

The MURIC leader also praised the leadership of the NSCIA for what he described as an inclusive, transparent and objective selection process.

“We are not surprised that the umbrella Islamic organisation picked the right person. NSCIA leadership deserves encomiums for adopting inclusivity, transparency and objectivity as its search mechanisms to pick its spokesperson,” he said.

Akintola congratulated Jimoh on what he described as a well-deserved appointment and urged him to discharge his responsibilities with diligence, courage and a high level of professionalism.

The NSCIA had last week announced the appointment of Abbas Jimoh, a veteran journalist and former Daily Trust staff member, as its spokesperson.

The appointment has continued to attract commendations from stakeholders within the Muslim community, with MURIC expressing optimism that Jimoh’s wealth of media experience will enhance the council’s public engagement and communication.

MURIC Commends NSCIA Over Appointment of Abbas Jimoh as Spokesperson