President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 200 exceptional National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service.
In addition to the automatic employment, each awardee will receive N250,000 in cash and a full scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at any Nigerian university.
The President, represented by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, announced the rewards on Tuesday in Abuja during the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award ceremony for 2020–2023 batches.
Tinubu explained that the gesture was in recognition of the awardees’ “discipline, commitment, selflessness, teamwork, patriotism, and integrity” during their national service.
“The head of the civil service of the federation and the chairman of the federal civil service commission will immediately begin their employment process,” he said.
The president also directed the employment of 10 physically challenged former corps members who were injured during their service.
“We will never forget their sacrifice. All the awardees will receive N250,000 each. Finally, each award recipient will be granted a scholarship to pursue postgraduate programmes up to a degree in any university in the country,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on youth empowerment through education, technology, and job creation.
“In appreciation of these critical roles played by youth in national development, and to put them in the foreground of our economy, the government developed several youth-related programmes, covering education, skills development, technology, and information sustainability,” he said.
Tinubu urged the youth to remain hopeful and loyal to Nigeria, saying ” do not yield to those seeking to destabilise the nation”.
Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, praised the president’s commitment to youth, noting that his presence at the event was a testament to his “deep-rooted love for the nation’s young people”.
“Each outstanding honouree here today exemplifies the very best of what our youth can achieve,” the minister said.
He said the recent increase in corps members’ allowance from N33,000 to N77,000 was a response to economic realities.
“This decision reflects our recognition of the vital role youth play in nation-building,” he added.
Olawande also commended the NYSC’s founders and management, saying his ministry would continue to support the scheme.
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