Ondo governor gives automatic jobs to seven NYSC award winners, honors teachers and students

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved automatic jobs for seven recipients of the state’s award in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) honour award category. He called these individuals exemplary young talents who showed hard work, discipline, and innovation during their service year in the state.

Mr Aiyedatiwa made the announcement on Tuesday at a ceremony honoring outstanding students, teachers, and academic achievers. The event took place at the Cocoa Conference Centre in Akure. It was attended by Ondo State Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, education stakeholders, and officials of the NYSC.

The governor said this move shows his administration’s commitment to keeping exceptional talents and boosting the state’s human capital. “By rewarding excellence, we are encouraging our brightest minds to contribute to the growth and development of our state, in line with the education component of the OUR EASE agenda,” Mr Aiyedatiwa stated.

The ceremony also honored 54 students who scored over 300 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It acknowledged two outstanding teachers from both public and private schools and students who represented Ondo State and Nigeria at international academic competitions.

In addition to the jobs, the governor handed out cash rewards of N1 million each to all the 66 award recipients. This group includes the NYSC awardees, high-performing students, and teachers. He called this gesture an investment in excellence.

Mr Aiyedatiwa paid tribute to the teachers, calling them the foundation of every successful society. “Countries are not built by chance, they are built in classrooms by committed teachers who mould character, impart knowledge, and inspire dreams,” he said. “History may remember the achievers, but posterity will always honour those who nurtured them for greatness.”

At the event, the Commissioner for Education, Igbekele Ajibefun, described the initiative as a clear effort to promote academic excellence. He said the governor has also ordered the compilation of names of other academically outstanding indigenes for future recognition.