The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reversing the widespread impression created by his earlier comments on the proposed reform of the scheme.
The clarification came hours after reports suggested that the iconic khaki uniform worn by corps members would be replaced with locally produced Adire fabric as part of the Federal Government's ongoing overhaul of the 53-year-old national service scheme.
The reports generated widespread reactions from Nigerians across social media and other public platforms.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Olawande explained that his remarks during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief were misunderstood.
He stressed that no final decision has been taken regarding the fabric or design of any new NYSC uniform.
According to the minister, he mentioned Adire and Ankara merely as examples of ideas that emerged during consultations on the proposed NYSC reforms and did not announce that either material had been adopted.
He said the suggestions remain under consideration alongside other proposals.
"My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations," Olawande stated, adding that no particular fabric has been officially approved to replace the current khaki uniform.
He explained that the government is carefully evaluating several options based on important considerations, including professional appearance, durability, functionality, affordability, national identity, and the ability to project pride in Nigeria's cultural heritage.
Any eventual decision, he said, would be reached only after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The minister urged Nigerians not to allow discussions about the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing NYSC reforms.
According to him, the government's focus extends far beyond changing uniforms and is aimed at repositioning the scheme to better meet the needs of today's youths and the country's evolving economy.
He noted that the reforms are designed to improve employability among corps members, promote entrepreneurship, strengthen national integration, enhance service delivery, and create a smoother transition from formal education into productive careers.
These broader goals, he said, remain the central priority of the reform agenda.
The clarification follows earlier reports that the Federal Government intended to replace the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire to support Nigeria's textile industry and encourage greater patronage of indigenous manufacturers.
Those reports were based on comments made during the minister's television interview before his subsequent clarification.
The NYSC reform programme includes several proposals aimed at modernising the scheme and making it more responsive to current national realities.
Government officials have indicated that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing, meaning aspects of the reform package may continue to evolve before final implementation.
Education and youth development stakeholders say the clarification is important because it distinguishes between proposals under consideration and officially approved government policies.
They note that policy discussions often involve multiple ideas before final decisions are reached through consultation and approval processes.
For prospective corps members and current participants, the minister's latest statement means the familiar khaki uniform remains the official NYSC attire for now.
Any future change, if eventually approved, is expected to be announced formally after consultations have been concluded and the government reaches a final decision.