The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for National Youth Service Corps members, hours after his earlier comments sparked widespread reactions.
According to The Punch, Olawande, in a statement shared on his official X handle on Thursday, said reports claiming Adire had been adopted to replace the NYSC’s traditional khaki uniform misrepresented remarks he made during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The minister explained that his reference to Adire and Ankara during the interview was only to highlight proposals being considered as part of the ongoing reform of the scheme.
“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 said.
Olawande added that no final decision has been taken on the fabric or design of a new uniform, noting that the government is evaluating options based on professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness and national pride.
He said any eventual decision would be guided by extensive consultations with stakeholders and what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the country.
The minister also urged Nigerians not to allow discussions about the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
The clarification comes after Olawande had earlier said on Channels Television that the government planned to replace the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire as part of the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council, a statement that triggered widespread public debate.
