Tinubu Approves Immediate Employment Of 200 NYSC Members, Awards Each ₦250,000

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate employment of 200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service.

The president also offered ₦250,000 cash gift and a scholarship for each to pursue postgraduate studies in any Nigerian university.

The announcement was made during the NYSC Honours Award Ceremony for 2020–2023, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

The president, represented by Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, commended the awardees for their dedication, patriotism, and integrity during their service year.

He assured them that the “Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission will immediately begin their employment process.”

Tinubu also directed that 10 former corps members who became physically challenged while serving be given federal jobs as well.

“We will never forget their sacrifice,” he noted.

Each of the awardees will also enjoy a scholarship to study for a postgraduate degree in any Nigerian university.

‘In appreciation of their service to the nation, all the awardees will receive N250,000,” Tinubu declared.

“Finally, each award recipient will be granted a scholarship to pursue postgraduate programs up to a degree in any university in the country.”

The president reaffirmed his administration’s focus on empowering young Nigerians, highlighting several initiatives aimed at education, skills, technology, and leadership development.

He said, “In appreciation of these critical roles played by youths in national development, and to put them in the foreground of our economy, the government developed several youth-related programs, covering education, skills development, technology, and information sustainability.”

Tinubu called on the honourees and Nigerian youths alike to “continue to have faith in Nigeria,” urging them not to yield to those “seeking to destabilise the nation.”

The best-performing male and female corps members were also honoured at the ceremony.

The top four male awardees include Polycarp Nunaya (20B – KW/20B/0001) from Adamawa State, who served in Kwara State; Okpogbo Chinedu (21A) from Imo State, who served in Cross River State; Dr. Ugwa Mark (23B) from Abia State, who served in Cross River State; and Rabiu Mayokun (23C) from Osun State, who served in Rivers State.

In the female category, the best overall awardees were Akase Nguwasen (21A) from Benue State, who served in Gombe State and Igwe Anne Chikaodi (23C) from Enugu State, who served in Sokoto State.

Youth Minister Ayodele Olawande thanked the president for prioritizing youth empowerment.

He noted that the recent raise in corps members’ monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 reflects a true commitment to addressing the economic realities faced by Nigerian youth.

The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, praised Nigerian youths for their role in nation-building.

He emphasized that programs like the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and National Talent Export Programme have given young people more access to global opportunities.

He also revealed that 200 awardees were selected after a rigorous screening process that assessed their impact during service, and 10 others were honoured under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme for continuing to serve despite life-changing injuries sustained on duty.

He paid tribute to four corps members who died during service and highlighted the NYSC’s major contributions, such as supporting elections, offering free healthcare in rural areas, and training over 250,000 youths annually in market-driven skills.

Brig. Gen. Nafiu urged the honourees to become lifelong ambassadors of unity and service, saying they now carry the responsibility of inspiring others and representing the best of Nigeria.

One of the awardees, Ezieme Uba, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying the employment opportunity brought him great joy and hope for the future.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved a 133% rise in the monthly stipend for NYSC members, raising it from N33,000 to N77,000.