The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has walked back earlier remarks suggesting that Adire fabric had been approved as the new National Youth Service Corps uniform, clarifying that no final decision has been reached on replacing the khaki attire. The clarification came on Thursday via a statement on his official X handle, hours after his comments on Channels Television's The Morning Brief sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians.

Olawande explained that his mention of Adire and Ankara during the interview referred only to proposals under consideration 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 stated.

According to the minister, government is weighing options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost effectiveness, and the projection of national pride. He noted that any eventual decision would follow extensive stakeholder consultations and would reflect what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the country.

Olawande urged Nigerians not to let the uniform debate overshadow the broader goals of the reforms, which he said are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to current realities. "While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development," he added, citing improved employability, entrepreneurship promotion, stronger national integration, and smoother transitions from education to productive careers as key objectives.

The clarification followed an earlier report that the Federal Government intended to replace the NYSC's longstanding khaki uniform with locally produced Adire, as part of a wider overhaul of the 53 year old scheme. Olawande had told Channels Television, "It's Adire," explaining the move was meant to boost local textile production and retain government spending within the domestic economy.

The proposed uniform change forms part of a comprehensive NYSC overhaul approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, which also introduces skills based deployment of corps members, civilian operational leadership for the scheme, and amendments to the NYSC Act.