The Federal Government has confirmed that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will soon wear Adire fabric instead of the traditional khaki uniform as part of wide-ranging reforms approved for the 53-year-old scheme.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the announcement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He said the decision is intended to promote local production, strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry and ensure government spending benefits the nation’s economy.
The reform follows the approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, marking the most significant changes to the scheme since its establishment in 1973.
Speaking on the new uniform, Olawande said the Adire fabric would be sourced from local textile manufacturers across the country.
“It is Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, and we have textile industries. Let us put our money back into the country,” he said.
The minister also revealed that corps members would now be posted based largely on their academic qualifications and career paths instead of the existing general deployment system.
According to him, graduates trained as teachers, for example, will receive relevant training during the orientation camp before being posted to schools.
“After leaving camp, you are not just posted to a school because NYSC wants you there, but because of the process you followed in camp. That will determine where you are posted,” he explained.
On security, Olawande said the government is reviewing the deployment policy to allow more corps members to serve in states where they studied or are familiar with the environment, especially in areas facing security challenges.
He noted that the move would reduce the need for redeployment while addressing concerns raised by parents and prospective corps members.
The minister explained that those who are familiar with such regions would be given priority for deployment, while those willing to serve in other parts of the country would still have the opportunity to do so voluntarily.
He also dismissed claims that the military would be removed from the NYSC scheme, describing the reports as misleading.
According to him, the military will continue to provide security and support during orientation camps, while the reform only shifts the scheme’s operational leadership from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation.
“There is no way you can take the military away. We are only moving from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” Olawande said.
Under the new reform package, the NYSC orientation course has been extended from three weeks to six weeks, with greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, vocational skills, civic responsibility and employability.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier stated that the reforms are designed to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills, improve their employability and prepare them to contribute more effectively to national development.
The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) hosted an impactful 2026 World Social Media Day celebration in Jos, bringing together key stakeholders, media professionals, content creators, students and digital enthusiasts to promote innovation, creativity and responsible use of social media.
The event was held at Usiju World Event Center, under the theme “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” served as a platform for meaningful conversations on the growing influence of digital media, while highlighting the role of young people in driving innovation, collaboration and positive social change through online platforms.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of PLABOMA, Chief Matthew Oyerinde Tegha, has said social media has evolved beyond a communication tool to become a major driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation and civic engagement.
He said bloggers and content creators have a critical role to play in reshaping the narrative about Plateau State, urging them to use their digital platforms to promote the state’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, entrepreneurial successes and investment opportunities rather than allowing negative stories to dominate public discourse.
Tegha also called on the Plateau State Government, peace builders, entrepreneurs and business owners to work closely with bloggers and content creators in promoting Plateau’s tourism potential, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, saying such partnerships would help reshape the state’s image and drive development.
The keynote speaker and Plateau State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Kaneng Pam Hworo, challenged young people to use their digital voices as instruments for innovation, creativity and nation-building rather than spreading harmful content.
Speaking on the theme, “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” Hworo said social media has evolved beyond a communication platform into a powerful tool capable of shaping public opinion, mobilising communities and influencing national development. She noted that every post, video, podcast or livestream carries the potential to make a positive impact.
According to her, every smartphone has become a powerful platform, while every content creator has the capacity to serve as an agent of positive change. She urged youths to leverage their digital influence responsibly by promoting truth, creativity, innovation and values that contribute to the growth of their communities and the nation.
Also speaking, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Plateau State Governor, Dr. Gyang Bere, urged bloggers and content creators to use their digital platforms to promote peace, unity and responsible journalism, stressing that citizen journalism comes with the responsibility of protecting national security and fostering social cohesion.
He called on digital media practitioners to project Plateau State’s positive stories, including its development strides, tourism potential and resilient people, assuring them of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s continued support for the media in advancing responsible digital communication and sustainable development.
Member of the PLABOMA Board of Trustees, Mr. Yakubu Taddy, cautioned social media users against irresponsible online activities, warning that what people post on digital platforms could have lasting consequences on their personal and professional lives. He urged content creators to be mindful of the information they share online.
Taddy also called for stronger collaboration among media and social media organisations to promote fact-checking and responsible journalism, encouraging bloggers and digital publishers to verify information before publication in order to curb the spread of misinformation.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of PLABOMA’s Unified Bloggers Website https://plaboma.com/, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to connect over 30 active bloggers, strengthen collaboration and boost the visibility of digital journalism in Plateau State.
Stakeholders at the event commended PLABOMA for launching its Unified Bloggers Website, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening collaboration among online publishers and promoting credible digital journalism in Plateau State.
They, however, urged the association to expand the platform’s focus by promoting Plateau State’s rich tourism destinations, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, noting that consistent positive storytelling would help reshape the state’s image and attract more visitors and investors.
The Secretary of the Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA), Mr. Ibrahim Kallamu, said social media has evolved into a powerful tool for communication, business, education, news dissemination and civic engagement, urging participants to leverage digital platforms responsibly to create opportunities, promote innovation and contribute to societal development.
Popular content creator and comedian, Mr. Sunday Agbaji, popularly known as Hilarious Sunnie, highlighted the transformative power of digital media, sharing his journey in content creation and encouraging young people to embrace creativity, consistency and originality. He noted that impactful digital content has the potential to educate, inspire, entertain and create sustainable economic opportunities.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, urged young people and content creators to take advantage of the enormous economic opportunities offered by social media, stressing that impactful storytelling and content creation can be monetised to generate sustainable income while promoting positive narratives about Plateau State and Nigeria.
Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, Mr. Kenneth Dakop, Team Lead, Strategic Communication, commended PLABOMA for promoting peace and positive narratives through digital media, describing the association as a strategic partner in advancing social cohesion and assuring it of the agency’s continued support in building a peaceful and united Plateau State.
Representing the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. EF Oyinlola, Capt. CP Oteh commended PLABOMA for promoting responsible digital journalism and urged bloggers and content creators to use their platforms to support security efforts, promote peacebuilding and foster unity by sharing verified information and positive narratives about Plateau State.
The event ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding individuals and organisations, including PLASMIDA, PLASCHEMA, NUJ Chairman Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, Media Icon, the Plateau State Ministry of Information, Youth Engagement and Impact, and Godwin Okoko, in recognition of their effective use of social media to promote public engagement, innovation and community development.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for eligible voters and roll out a fully online voter registration system as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan explained that the downloadable PVC initiative is specifically designed for voters who have previously collected their PVCs but later lost or damaged them, or whose card details have become unreadable.
He clarified that the digital PVC option would not be available to first-time registrants who have never collected a physical card.
“It is not every PVC that is downloadable. You must have gotten your PVC before, and it must be that the PVC is lost, defaced or if you cannot read your numbers there,” he said.
According to the INEC Chairman, affected voters must report the loss or damage of their PVCs at least 90 days before an election to enable the commission to process the replacement.
He further revealed that the commission plans to pilot the downloadable PVC technology during the upcoming off-cycle Osun State governorship election scheduled for August.
Amupitan also announced that INEC is in the final stages of developing a technology that will enable eligible Nigerians to complete their voter registration entirely online without visiting INEC offices for physical biometric capture.
“We have also been working on the technology that is going to make it possible for the registration of voters online without even having to visit INEC local government or registration areas. So hopefully in the next few days, we will be testing it as soon as the commission approves it,” he said.
He noted that both innovations are aimed at making voter registration more accessible, reducing disenfranchisement, and ensuring that every eligible Nigerian can participate in the electoral process with ease.
