Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved automatic employment into the state public service for seven recipients of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) National Award.

The governor announced the employment on Tuesday during an award presentation organised to honour outstanding students, teachers and other education achievers in the state.

The event, held at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, also saw 67 award recipients receive N1 million each in recognition of their exceptional performances, dedication and commitment to excellence.

Aiyedatiwa said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to promoting excellence and retaining exceptional talents in Ondo State, stressing that investment in human capital development remained critical to the state’s long-term growth.

The governor described the event as a celebration of excellence and a reminder that human capital remained the greatest asset of any society.

He congratulated the awardees for bringing honour to the state through their academic achievements, innovation, discipline and commitment to excellence.

“You have not only excelled in your various endeavours; you have become worthy ambassadors of the Sunshine State and shining examples for generations yet unborn,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor also commended teachers for their contributions to the achievements recorded by the students, describing them as “the architects of human capital and the silent heroes behind every success story we celebrate today.”

He said, “Countries are not built by chance; they are built in classrooms by committed teachers who mould character, impart knowledge and inspire dreams. History may remember the achievers, but posterity will always honour those who nurtured them for greatness.”

According to him, the recognition aligns with the education component of the administration’s OUR EASE policy agenda, which includes the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, provision of modern learning facilities, recruitment and training of teachers, digital learning, technical and vocational education, workers’ welfare and safe learning environments.

Aiyedatiwa said his administration remained committed to producing young people who are intellectually sound, morally upright, technologically competent, entrepreneurial and globally competitive.

“Education must produce not only certificate holders but responsible citizens, innovative thinkers, problem-solvers and future leaders,” he said.

The award categories included seven NYSC National Award recipients and 54 JAMB candidates who scored above 300 out of 400 in the 2026 examinations.

Other awardees included students who represented Ondo State in national competitions and Nigeria in international competitions. They included one student who participated in the 2026 National Spelling Bee Global Competition in the United States, one participant at the 2025 World Olympiad Competition in Paris, France, and two students who competed at the 2026 World Olympiad Competition in Chemistry held in Uzbekistan.

Two teachers, one from a public school and another from a private school, were also honoured under the National Award (Teachers) category.

Speaking earlier, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the recognition was designed to encourage excellence and inspire students and teachers across the state.

Ajibefun said education remained a major priority of the Aiyedatiwa administration, adding that the governor had directed the compilation of names of students and other citizens who had distinguished themselves academically for recognition.

He described the initiative as historic and capable of promoting a culture of academic excellence in schools, commending the governor for creating a platform to celebrate outstanding achievements.

The commissioner said the recognition would motivate more students and teachers across the state to strive for excellence.