Philip Agbese, a House of Representatives member for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo constituency, has formally requested that President Bola Tinubu pause the current restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps. This initiative, recently greenlit by the Federal Executive Council, has sparked widespread public discussion regarding its necessity and impact.
In a direct communication to the President, Agbese argued that the proposed modifications could jeopardize the agency’s primary mission of promoting national cohesion. He expressed specific concern regarding the transition from military to civilian leadership, warning that it creates a precarious split in the chain of command. Furthermore, he criticized plans to replace the iconic khaki uniform with Adire fabric, labeling the entire reform package as a move that complicates a vital national institution.
The lawmaker is advocating for the creation of an expert committee to conduct an extensive assessment of the plan. He cautioned that the current seven-pillar restructuring approach, which includes extended orientation periods and a pivot toward skill-focused deployments, threatens to compromise national security and inter-cultural relations.
