President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate employment of 200 National Youth Service Corps honourees into the federal civil service.Each honouree will also receive a cash award of ₦250,000 in recognition of their outstanding service between 2020 and 2023.
The announcement was made at the NYSC Honours Award Ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the President commended the awardees for their discipline, patriotism, and integrity.He confirmed that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman would begin their employment processes immediately. Tinubu also directed that 10 physically challenged ex-corps members injured during service be offered federal employment.
In addition to the cash reward, each awardee is to receive a scholarship for postgraduate studies in any Nigerian university. The President emphasized his administration’s focus on youth development through initiatives in education, skills acquisition, technology, and sustainable development. He encouraged the honourees and Nigerian youths to maintain their faith in the country, despite attempts by some to create instability.
The awardees included top male performers such as Polycarp Nunaya from Adamawa State, Okpogbo Chinedu from Imo State, Dr. Ugwa Mark from Abia State, and Rabiu Mayokun from Osun State. In the female category, Akase Nguwasen from Benue State and Igwe Anne Chikaodi from Enugu State were recognised.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, thanked the President for his commitment to Nigerian youth and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating opportunities for young people in areas like startups, renewable energy, and public service. He also applauded the recent NYSC allowance increase from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 as a reflection of the government’s recognition of youth contributions to national development.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the awardees as the future of the nation. He appreciated the government’s support, especially the allowance increase and youth-focused initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the National Talent Export Programme. He noted that these programs would provide corps members with access to global tech opportunities and funding after service.
Nafiu expressed hope for the eventual signing of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which he described as a transformative step for the scheme. He noted that the 200 awardees were selected through a rigorous screening process that assessed service records, community impact, and civic values.
He also acknowledged 10 recipients of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme who sustained injuries during service but remain committed to national development. Four corps members who died during their service were honoured posthumously.
Highlighting the NYSC’s contributions to rural health, Nafiu revealed that in 2025 alone, 6,340 medical corps members, including 2,319 doctors, were deployed to remote areas, reaching over four million Nigerians with healthcare services.He stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the NYSC and reaffirmed its role as a national institution driving unity and development from the grassroots.
In closing, Nafiu urged the honourees to embrace their new roles as national ambassadors. He reminded them that while they may no longer wear khaki, they now carry the confidence of the nation and the responsibility to serve as agents of unity and hope. One of the recipients, Ezieme Uba, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that nothing is more fulfilling than being gainfully employed. She thanked her parents, friends, and fellow corps members for their support.
Source: https://punchng.com/
