President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate employment of 200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) honorees into the federal civil service.
He also announced a ₦250,000 cash reward for each of the 200 awardees in recognition of their exceptional service between 2020 and 2023.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony (2020–2023) in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu praised the honorees for their “discipline, commitment, selflessness, teamwork, patriotism, and integrity.”
The President extended special recognition to 10 physically challenged former corps members who sustained injuries during service.
He directed that they also be offered federal jobs, assuring them that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
He confirmed that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission would begin the employment process without delay.
All honorees, including those with disabilities, will receive scholarships for postgraduate studies at any Nigerian university.
Tinubu urged them, and other Nigerian youths to remain hopeful and committed to the country. He warned against yielding to forces “seeking to destabilise the nation.”
The ceremony celebrated top-performing male and female corps members.
In the male category, the top four were:
1. Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya (20B – KW/20B/0001) from Adamawa, who served in Kwara;
2. Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu (21A) from Imo, who served in Cross River;
3. Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark (23B) from Abia, who served in Cross River; and
4. Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (23C) from Osun, who served in Rivers.
For the female category, the best overall awardees were:
1. Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (21A) from Benue, who served in Gombe; and
2. Igwe Anne Chikaodi (23C) from Enugu, who served in Sokoto.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised Tinubu’s commitment to Nigerian youth.
“Your presence here is a testament to the deep-rooted love you have for our nation’s young people,” he said.
He noted that the event celebrated hard work, creativity, and integrity among former corps members across the country.
Olawande reaffirmed the government’s dedication to youth empowerment. He highlighted programs targeting job creation, especially in tech and renewable energy, and increased leadership opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Many young people have been appointed as ministers and heads of agencies, ensuring youth voices are heard and respected at the highest levels,” he said.
He also commended the recent increase in NYSC allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, stressing it was not a political move but a response to economic realities.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, applauded Nigerian youths for their contribution to nation-building.
He described them as “the future of our great nation and a vital force for our collective progress and preservation of our social, cultural, and national heritage.”
Nafiu highlighted youth-focused reforms under the current administration, including the revamped Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the National Talent Export Programme.
He said these initiatives have opened up global opportunities and post-service funding for corps members.
“These reforms are not mere policies but tools of landmark transformation that will undoubtedly stand the test of time,” he said.
He also expressed hope for the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which he described as a “landmark piece of legislation” to ensure sustainable funding for the scheme.
“In 2025 alone, we engaged 6,340 core medical personnel, including 2,319 doctors, to expand access to free healthcare in remote areas,” Nafiu revealed.
He added that over 4 million Nigerians benefited from free services under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, including malaria testing, health education, and disease prevention.
He noted that NYSC’s skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programme has been restructured to focus on “technology-driven and market-relevant training,” with over 250,000 corps members trained yearly.
Addressing the awardees, Nafiu said, “You may no longer wear khaki, but you now wear something even more enduring: the confidence of a great nation.
“This award should signify yet another chapter in your resolve and commitment to selfless dedication to serving your country, as you remain ambassadors of unity and innovators of hope.”