President Tinubu offers automatic employment, scholarships, cash to 200 Ex-NYSC members

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

President Tinubu has directed that 210 ex-youth corps members be given automatic employment and scholarships within Nigeria to the doctorate level. Tinubu’s directive also included cash awards of N250,000 each to the 210 former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who served between 2020-2023.

According to a statement released by the NYSC, the number comprises 200 youths who distinguished themselves during their service year, with outstanding contributions in all four cardinal programmes of the scheme. It also includes 10 youths who sustained various degrees of injuries during their service year.

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The President also directed the Head of Service of the Federation and the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission to facilitate their employment into the Federal Civil Service immediately.

Topping the list of the overall best four awardees are; Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya from Adamawa State who served in Kwara, Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu from Imo State and served in Cross River, Dr Ugwa Obinna Mark from Abia State who served in Cross River and Rabiu Quadri Mayokun from Osun State and served in Rivers State. The Overall best female awardees also include; Akase Patience Nguwasen from Benue but served in Gombe and Igwe Anne Chikaobi from Enugu State who served in Sokoto.

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The Lagos Voice reports that President Tinubu made the announcement during the 2025 edition of the President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, President Tinubu praised the administration of former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon for establishing NYSC in 1973, and the successive leadership of the Scheme, as well as Corps Members who had contributed to the development of Nigeria for the past 52 years.

He acknowledged that the contributions of Corps Members to national unity and development, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, and healthcare delivery, could not be overemphasised. The President reiterated his administration’s continuous support for NYSC.

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The President also lauded the scheme for its impactful Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, which provided Corps Members with a robust platform for equipping themselves for self-reliance and job creation. He noted that the government had instituted several youth-related programmes to enable them to make significant contributions to the growth and economic advancement of the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande hailed the contributions of Corps Members to national unity and integration, economic advancement, rural growth, educational improvement, free medicare for indigent Nigerians, among others. He thanked the President for his support to the Ministry of Youth Development and NYSC.

The Scheme’s Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu said the President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony was an occasion for National tribute to excellence, sacrifice and hope. He stated that since the institution of the President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony, the event had served as a solemn recognition of Corps Members who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the ideals of unity, patriotism, and nation-building.

He praised Tinubu’s visionary leadership, which consistently paved the way for progressive youth development, adding that under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the NYSC had witnessed increased support through strategic inclusion in the government’s core development architecture, citing the recent increase of Corps Members’ allowances from N33,000 to N77,000, to support his claim. General Nafiu said the increase in Corps allowances had revitalised their commitment to duty.

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He said, “through initiatives like the revitalised Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the National Talent Export Programme, Corps Members have greater access to post-service funding and global tech opportunities.”

General Nafiu noted that the signing of the NYSC Trust Fund bill, aimed at establishing a sustainable funding framework for the Scheme, would play a transformational role in revamping existing infrastructure, improving camp facilities, as well as support the welfare and post-service reintegration of Corps members.

The Director General eulogised the deceased corps members who died in active service to their fatherland, adding that their names, deeds, and legacies would not be forgotten.

He also pledged that the founding ideals and enduring legacy of the NYSC would remain intact, even as the Scheme undergoes the much-needed reforms in tandem with prevailing trends in youth mentorship by the dictates of national needs. He disclosed that Corps Members had been supporting national programmes such as elections and SDGs campaigns, among others