President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate employment of 200 exceptional National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service. Alongside this directive, each awardee will receive a ₦250,000 cash reward, in recognition of their dedication and impactful service to the nation during their service years from 2020 to 2023.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony in Abuja. Representing the President at the event, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, praised the honorees for demonstrating uncommon qualities such as patriotism, selflessness, discipline, and integrity while serving in different parts of the country.
In a show of compassion and gratitude, President Tinubu also directed that 10 physically challenged ex-corps members—who sustained injuries or disabilities during their service—be offered employment in the federal civil service. He reassured them that their sacrifices would never be forgotten and promised that the federal government remains committed to supporting and honoring them.
The President’s decision underscores his administration’s agenda of youth empowerment, national unity, and inclusive development. It also signals a renewed commitment to valuing merit and rewarding integrity, particularly among young Nigerians making positive contributions at the grassroots level.
The NYSC Honours Award is reserved for corps members who exhibit exemplary service, often going above and beyond to impact host communities through education, health, infrastructure, and social development initiatives. Many of this year’s awardees executed sustainable community projects, provided voluntary teaching or healthcare services in remote areas, or showed exceptional bravery in challenging conditions.
Tinubu’s gesture is not only a reward but also a motivation for current and future corps members across the nation. With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge in Nigeria, this opportunity offers a rare pathway into public service for deserving young professionals who have already demonstrated capacity and civic responsibility.
The federal civil service will now absorb the 200 honorees, while the Office of the Head of Service and the Federal Civil Service Commission are expected to facilitate the onboarding process. The President also encouraged agencies to expedite the employment of the 10 physically challenged ex-corps members without delay.
This year’s awards cover four batches of service years due to prior delays and the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite those obstacles, the NYSC continues to function as a bridge across Nigeria’s diversity—instilling a strong sense of duty, resilience, and national identity in its participants.
President Tinubu called on all corps members and Nigerian youth in general to emulate the example set by the award recipients. He reminded them that true nation-building begins with values such as integrity, sacrifice, and collective responsibility. Through their service, he said, they prove that the Nigerian spirit remains strong, determined, and hopeful.
