The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to disbursing the backlog of the increased ₦77,000 monthly allowance to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, following months of anticipation and financial strain among corps members. This assurance comes after the allowance was elevated from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 in September 2024, effective from July 2024, in alignment with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
Despite the official announcement, implementation faced significant delays attributed to budgetary constraints and administrative processes. The Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NYSC, Carol Embu, highlighted in March 2025 that the scheme was actively pursuing the necessary cash backing for the allowance increase, emphasizing the need for due diligence in the process.
Addressing the concerns of corps members, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, provided further clarity during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today.’ He acknowledged the absence of the increment in the initial budget when President Bola Tinubu announced it and explained the necessity for a budgetary allocation before disbursing the increased funds. Olawande assured that the allocation process had been completed, approvals secured, and that the payments would commence imminently. He stated, “The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate, but it will happen.”
In a related development, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, who assumed office on March 6, 2025, addressed corps members at the NYSC Zonal Offices in Wuse and Garki, Abuja, on March 20, 2025. He emphasized the scheme’s commitment to corps members’ welfare and assured them that the increased allowance would be disbursed starting from March 2025. Nafiu stated, “NYSC is good at record-keeping. I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you.”
This development has brought relief to thousands of corps members who have been awaiting the implementation of the increased allowance amidst rising living costs. The NYSC management continues to prioritize the well-being of its members, recognizing their invaluable contributions to national development.
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