President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate employment of 200 outstanding members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into the federal civil service. Speaking on Tuesday during the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony for the 2020–2023 service years, Tinubu—represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha—also announced a ₦250,000 cash prize for each honoree, along with scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in any Nigerian university.
The President praised the awardees for their discipline, commitment, selflessness, teamwork, patriotism, and integrity. He also extended a gesture of support to 10 physically challenged former corps members who sustained disabilities while serving, directing that they be offered federal employment as well. He assured them that the government would never forget their sacrifice and contribution to national service.
He stated that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission had been directed to immediately commence the employment process for all awardees. Tinubu emphasized that beyond the automatic employment and cash rewards, each of the honorees—regardless of physical ability—would be given a scholarship to pursue a postgraduate programme in a Nigerian university. He added that the initiative is part of his administration’s broader commitment to youth empowerment through programmes that promote education, skills development, technology, and innovation.
In his remarks, Tinubu called on the honorees and Nigerian youths in general to remain hopeful and continue to have faith in the country, urging them not to give in to elements seeking to destabilize the nation.
The ceremony also recognized the best overall performers in both male and female categories. Among the male recipients were corps members from Adamawa, Imo, Abia, and Osun states who served in various states across the country. In the female category, two corps members from Benue and Enugu states were named as the best performers.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to young people, noting that the presence of top government officials at the event was a reflection of the administration’s love and dedication to the youth. He said the ceremony served as a platform to celebrate excellence, creativity, and integrity among Nigerian youths, and that the awardees were true role models.
Olawande highlighted ongoing federal efforts aimed at supporting youth through startup funding, job creation—particularly in the areas of technology and renewable energy—and leadership opportunities. He said the government had appointed many young individuals as ministers and heads of agencies to ensure youth voices are included in national decision-making. He also commended the recent increase in corps members’ allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, describing it as a necessary adjustment in light of current economic realities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described Nigerian youth as the future of the nation and commended their efforts in preserving the country’s cultural and social heritage. He expressed appreciation for the President’s approval of the new allowance and acknowledged the government’s youth-centered programmes such as the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the National Talent Export Programme, which have provided corps members with post-service funding and global tech opportunities.
Nafiu noted that these reforms are not mere policies but transformative tools that will endure. He expressed optimism about the anticipated signing of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which he said would provide a sustainable financial framework for the scheme.
The DG also paid tribute to four corps members who died during service, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice. He spoke of the NYSC’s ongoing contributions to national development, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and civic engagement. According to him, in 2025 alone, the scheme deployed over 6,000 core medical personnel—including more than 2,000 doctors—to deliver free healthcare to rural communities, reaching over four million Nigerians.
He added that the NYSC’s skills acquisition programme has been revamped to focus on technology and market-relevant training, with more than 250,000 corps members receiving training annually. Nafiu reiterated his commitment to protecting the integrity of the NYSC and ensuring the scheme remains a trusted national institution.
Addressing the awardees directly, Nafiu urged them to embrace their new roles as ambassadors of unity and progress. He told them that although they may no longer wear the NYSC uniform, they now carry the confidence and expectations of a grateful nation, and he encouraged them to remain dedicated to serving their country.
