President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate employment of 200 outstanding National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service in recognition of their exceptional performance during the 2020 to 2023 service years.
Speaking at the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony held Tuesday in Abuja, President Tinubu—represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha—commended the awardees for displaying discipline, patriotism, teamwork, and integrity in the course of national service.
In addition to the automatic employment, each honoree will receive a cash reward of ₦250,000 and a scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in any Nigerian university. The President also extended this gesture to 10 physically challenged former corps members who sustained disabilities while serving, directing that they also be absorbed into the federal workforce.
“The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission will immediately begin their employment process,” Tinubu assured.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, noting that several empowerment programmes have been rolled out in areas such as skills acquisition, education, innovation, and digital inclusion.
“Let me assure you that your government will never forget your sacrifice,” he added, while encouraging Nigerian youth to remain hopeful and committed to national development despite present challenges.
Best Performing Corps Members Recognised
The ceremony also honoured top-performing corps members. Among the best overall male honorees were:
Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya (20B), from Adamawa State, served in Kwara State
Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu (21A), from Imo State, served in Cross River State
Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark (23B), from Abia State, served in Cross River State
Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (23C), from Osun State, served in Rivers State
In the female category, the top awardees were:
Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (21A), from Benue State, served in Gombe State
Igwe Anne Chikaodi (23C), from Enugu State, served in Sokoto State
FG Reiterates Support for Nigerian Youth
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised the President’s consistent support for youth, describing the gesture as a clear commitment to their growth and inclusion in national development.
“Each outstanding honoree here today exemplifies the very best of what our youth can achieve,” Olawande said. He also noted that the recent increment of the NYSC allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 was not a political move but a response to economic realities.
NYSC DG Applauds Tinubu’s Reforms
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s youth-focused policies, especially the approval of an increased corps allowance and support for the NYSC Trust Fund Bill.
Nafiu revealed that over 6,340 corps medical personnel were deployed in 2025 alone to enhance healthcare delivery in remote communities, benefiting more than 4 million Nigerians under the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.
He added that the NYSC’s entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programme now trains over 250,000 corps members annually, focusing on digital and market-relevant skills.
Concluding his address, Nafiu paid tribute to four corps members who died during their service and urged the awardees to continue promoting unity and national progress.
“You may no longer wear khaki, but you now wear something even more enduring: the confidence of a great nation,” he told the honorees.
