Tinubu Approves Jobs, ₦250,000 Cash Rewards, Postgraduate Scholarships for 200 NYSC Honourees

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate employment of 200 outstanding members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who received the President's Honours Award for their meritorious service to the country between the 2020 and 2023 service years. In addition to federal civil service appointments, each awardee is to receive a ₦250,000 cash reward and a postgraduate scholarship covering studies up to the doctoral level in any Nigerian university. The gesture forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to honour excellence in youth service and to encourage national development through the NYSC scheme. Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu at the award ceremony held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, praised the awardees for their dedication, discipline, and innovation in their various places of primary assignment across the country. She described them as beacons of hope for the future and emphasized that the government’s gesture was a recognition of the sacrifices made by young Nigerians in service to the nation. Furthermore, Tinubu extended the same employment opportunity to 10 physically challenged corps members who sustained injuries or disabilities during their national service. He noted that the inclusion of these individuals underscored his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and social justice. Also addressing the gathering, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s broader youth-focused agenda. He mentioned recent measures such as increased NYSC allowances—reportedly moving from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000—as well as investments in digital skills training and entrepreneurship to equip young Nigerians for self-reliance in a rapidly changing economy. Highlighting the NYSC’s impact, the Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, revealed that over 6,000 corps medical personnel, including more than 2,300 doctors, had provided healthcare services to over 4 million Nigerians in underserved areas through the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme. He also noted that more than 250,000 corps members annually have been receiving structured training in entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and ICT as part of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative. Among the 200 honoured corps members were standout individuals such as Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya from Adamawa State who served in Kwara State, Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu from Imo State who served in Cross River State, and Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark from Abia State who also served in Cross River. Others include Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (Osun State, served in Rivers), Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (Benue, served in Gombe), and Igwe Anne Chikaodi (Enugu, served in Sokoto). The President’s Honours Award, an annual event, celebrates corps members who display exceptional character, patriotism, and commitment during their service year. President Tinubu described the awardees as "true heroes of the Republic," noting that their courage and dedication embody the core values of the NYSC. He concluded by reiterating his administration’s support for the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which aims to institutionalize funding support for corps members, enhance the scheme’s infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability of youth empowerment initiatives nationwide.