The Head of the Federation’s Civil Service was instructed by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday to provide employment letters to 200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) President’s Honors Award recipients.
He offered a N250,000 cash incentive for the fortunate employees, along with postgraduate scholarships to Nigerian universities, in addition to their automatic hiring into the civil service.
Ten physically disabled former Corps members who were injured during their service were also automatically hired by the federal government.
Through Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labor and Employment, the president made the announcement during the combined 2020–2023 NYSC President’s Honors Award ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the gesture demonstrates the government’s dedication to national service and young development.
He said that the recipients’ sacrifices were essential to the nation’s long-term growth and social cohesion and commended them for their discipline, selflessness, patriotism, and excellent service.
“It is imperative that the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service start the hiring process right away,” he stated.
In recognition of their contributions to the country, each honoree will get N250,000. Additionally, each prize winner would receive a scholarship to attend any university in the nation to continue postgraduate studies up to the PhD level, Tinubu declared.
In order to harness the enthusiasm of Nigerian young, the president stated that the administration had created a number of youth-centered programs spanning education, technology, skills development, and entrepreneurship.
“Our commitment to prioritizing youth in our economic and national development agenda is unwavering,” he said.
While cautioning against those who aim to destabilize the country, he also exhorted Nigerian youths to maintain their optimism. Believe in Nigeria. He declared, “Our greatest strength is our unity.”
Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya (Adamawa, served in Kwara); Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu (Imo, served in Cross River); Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark (Abia, served in Cross River); Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (Osun, served in Rivers); Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (Benue, served in Gombe); and Igwe Anne Chikaodi.
Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, referenced recent hikes in corps members’ allowances from N33,000 to N77,000 to praise President Tinubu’s commitment to improving Nigerian youths.
“This is a demonstration of gratitude for the contributions of our youth and a clear response to economic realities, not a political gesture,” Olawande stated.
He gave the NYSC credit for turning out generations of dedicated young Nigerians who have improved underprivileged neighborhoods via civic participation, healthcare, and education.
Olawande also promised more reforms in areas including digital skills, renewable energy, and young entrepreneurship, and he welcomed the Ministry of young Development’s sustained legislative support.
“The vital force for our collective progress and preservation of national unity” is how Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, the NYSC’s director-general, characterized Nigerian youths.
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He emphasized that a stringent screening procedure that evaluated the 200 honorees’ leadership, dedication to community development, and service effect led to their selection. Ten more honorees were recognized for their continued service in spite of injuries they received while doing their duties as part of the NYSC Hope Alive program.
“These young Nigerians are heroes of our Republic, not just recipients of awards,” Nafiu remarked, honoring four corps members who died while serving.
nearly 6,000 medical personnel, including 2,319 doctors, were deployed via the NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in 2025 alone, the DG disclosed, providing free medical care, health education, and disease prevention to nearly four million Nigerians.
He pointed out that NYSC trains more than 250,000 corps members a year through its redesigned entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programs, which mirror market-driven and digital demands.
“We are creating leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers, not just graduates,” he stated.
In addition, Nafiu conveyed optimism that the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which provides long-term financial assistance for youth reintegration and post-service enterprise, will soon be passed into law.
He spoke directly to the honorees, saying: “You may have abandoned the khaki, but you now wear the confidence of a great nation.” This honor carries responsibilities in addition to rewards. You are emissaries of harmony and creators of optimism.
Ezieme Francis Uba, one of the honorees, conveyed his appreciation for being acknowledged. Nothing is more satisfying than witnessing the fruits of your labor. I am grateful for this honor from the president, my family, and my friends. It serves as inspiration to work harder.
As it commemorates more than 50 years after its founding in 1973, the NYSC remains a forum for youth empowerment and a symbol of national integration.
President Tinubu’s most recent intervention is a fresh attempt to uplift its heritage and reposition Nigeria’s young for transformation as a nation.
