Tinubu Orders Automatic Employment for 200 NYSC Members, ₦250,000 Cash Reward Each
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the automatic employment of 200 outstanding National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service, alongside a ₦250,000 cash award for each of them, in recognition of their exceptional service between 2020 and 2023.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the NYSC Honours Award Ceremony in Abuja, where Tinubu was represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
In a show of inclusive leadership, the President also ordered immediate federal employment for 10 physically challenged ex-corps members who sustained injuries or disabilities during their service. He assured them that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
“All awardees, including the physically challenged, will receive scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in any Nigerian university,” he said.
Praising the recipients for their integrity, patriotism, and dedication, Tinubu described them as shining examples of the nation’s youth and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to skills development, education, technology, and job creation.
“Youth are at the heart of our national development strategy,” he said, urging young Nigerians to stay hopeful and not succumb to forces seeking to destabilize the country.
The list of awardees includes top-performing male and female corps members from different service years and states. Among the male honorees are Nunaya Polycarp (20B, Adamawa – served in Kwara), Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu (21A, Imo – served in Cross River), Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark (23B, Abia – served in Cross River), and Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (23C, Osun – served in Rivers).
Female awardees include Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (21A, Benue – served in Gombe) and Igwe Anne Chikaodi (23C, Enugu – served in Sokoto).
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, lauded Tinubu’s unwavering support for young Nigerians, citing the recent increase of NYSC monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 as a step toward cushioning economic challenges.
“This isn’t just a political gesture; it reflects genuine appreciation for the contribution of youth,” Olawande remarked, adding that many young Nigerians are now occupying key positions in government.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described corps members as the “backbone of national development” and highlighted their vital roles in healthcare delivery, voter education, ICT training, and other community service initiatives.
“In 2025 alone, over 6,300 medical corps members, including 2,300 doctors, provided free healthcare to more than 4 million Nigerians, especially in underserved areas,” he revealed.
He also noted that over 250,000 corps members are trained annually through the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Nafiu paid tribute to four corps members who lost their lives in service, calling them “heroes of national unity,” and urged the awardees to continue serving Nigeria beyond their NYSC year.
“You may no longer wear khaki, but you now wear something greater the confidence of a nation,” he said. “Remain ambassadors of unity, integrity, and progress.”
