President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has offered automatic employment, scholarships within Nigeria up to the Doctorate level, and cash rewards of ₦250,000 each to 210 ex-Corps Members who served between 2020 and 2023.
The beneficiaries include 200 members who distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions to the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, and 10 others who sustained life-altering injuries during their service year.
He directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission to facilitate their employment into the Federal Civil Service.
President Tinubu unveiled the package during the 2025 President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, President Tinubu commended General Yakubu Gowon for initiating the NYSC in 1973, and lauded the Scheme’s leadership and Corps Members for their 52 years of national service.
He noted that the contributions of Corps Members to national unity and development especially in agriculture, education, and healthcare could not be overemphasised.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s continued support for NYSC.
Robust platform
President Tinubu also praised the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a robust platform for empowering Corps Members toward self-reliance and job creation.
He said the government had introduced several youth-focused programmes to enable young people contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth and development.
The overall best four awardees were:
Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya from Adamawa State, who served in Kwara, Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu from Imo State, who served in Cross River, Dr Ugwa Obinna Mark from Abia State, who served in Cross River, Rabiu Quadri Mayokun from Osun State, who served in Rivers.
The best female awardees were:
Akase Patience Nguwasen from Benue State, who served in Gombe, Igwe Anne Chikaobi from Enugu State, who served in Sokoto State.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, commended Corps Members for their contributions to national unity, economic advancement, rural development, educational progress, and the provision of free medical services to the underprivileged.
He expressed gratitude to the President for his consistent support for the Ministry and the NYSC.
National tribute
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the Honours Award Ceremony as a national tribute to excellence, sacrifice, and hope.
He noted that the event has remained a solemn recognition of Corps Members who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the ideals of unity, patriotism, and nation-building.
General Nafiu praised President Tinubu’s leadership, citing increased Corps Members’ monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the raise had boosted morale and service commitment.
“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,” he said.
He expressed optimism about the NYSC Trust Fund bill, aimed at establishing a sustainable funding framework for the Scheme, which he said would help revamp infrastructure, improve camp facilities, and support Corps Members’ welfare and post-service reintegration.
General Nafiu paid tribute to Corps Members who lost their lives in service, assuring that their names and legacies would never be forgotten.
He reaffirmed that NYSC would uphold its founding ideals while evolving through reforms aligned with national priorities for youth development.
Elections and SDGs campaigns
He disclosed that Corps Members had continued to support national programmes, including elections and SDGs campaigns.
In 2025, he said, NYSC deployed 6,340 Corps Medical Personnel including 2,319 medical doctors to deliver free healthcare to about 4 million indigent Nigerians in rural areas through the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme.
He also revealed that the SAED programme had been restructured to include more technology-driven and market-relevant training, with an average of 250,000 Corps Members equipped annually with entrepreneurial skills.
The 2025 NYSC President’s Honours Award Ceremony was attended by top government officials, former NYSC Chief Executives, serving and retired NYSC Directors, and other dignitaries.
Lateefah Ibrahim