“Adire and Ankara Can’t Represent Every Nigerian” – Morris Monye Opposes NYSC Uniform Change

• Media personality Morris Monye has opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to replace the NYSC khaki uniform with Adire, arguing that the fabric does not represent Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
• He maintained that the existing khaki uniform is detribalised and better reflects the scheme’s goal of fostering national unity.
• Monye urged the government to focus on addressing the real challenges facing the NYSC, including improving entrepreneurship education and the overall effectiveness of the programme, rather than making what he described as cosmetic changes to the uniform.

Media personality Morris Monye has criticised the Federal Government’s proposal to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric, arguing that the change does not reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity and could undermine the scheme’s unifying identity.

His reaction comes after the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced plans to replace the iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire as part of reforms aimed at promoting indigenous textile production and boosting the nation’s economy.

Reacting to the proposal in a post on X, Monye argued that Adire and Ankara should not become the official uniform for all corps members because they are culturally associated with a particular region of the country.

“Adire and Ankara can’t be the uniform for all NYSC members across the country. We are all not from the SW region,” he wrote.

He described the current khaki uniform as one of the few national symbols that is gender-neutral, detribalised and universally accepted across Nigeria.

According to him, the NYSC remains one of the country’s strongest tools for promoting national unity by exposing young Nigerians to different cultures, traditions and ways of life.

Monye further urged the Federal Government to prioritise reforms that address the scheme’s core challenges rather than focusing on changing its appearance.

“Rather than focusing on cosmetic changes like uniforms or ceremonies, we should be addressing the real issues affecting the scheme and investing in practical, long-term entrepreneurship education.

The FG should rethink this.”