Olawande clarifies earlier remarks, insists khaki remains as government weighs multiple options

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has walked back his earlier remarks suggesting that Adire fabric could replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform, clarifying that no final decision has been taken.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Olawande said his previous reference to Adire was merely illustrative and not an official policy announcement.

The clarification follows a wave of public criticism that greeted the initial proposal, with many Nigerians arguing that adopting Adire—widely associated with a specific region—could erode the national identity of the NYSC scheme and fuel perceptions of regional bias.

Addressing the backlash, the minister stressed that the government has not approved any replacement for the iconic khaki uniform. He explained that Adire was mentioned as one of several ideas under consideration as part of broader discussions on potential reforms.

Olawande reaffirmed that any decision regarding changes to the NYSC uniform would be made after extensive consultations and would reflect national unity and inclusiveness.

For now, the traditional khaki uniform remains the official attire for corps members across the country.