The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has finally responded to long-standing demands for an increased allowance, with the Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, announcing that corps members will begin receiving ₦77,000 starting February 2025. While this sounds like good news, corps members are already questioning why their January stipend remains unpaid.
₦77,000 Allowance: A Promise or Just Another Announcement?
During a visit to the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members in Katsina State, General Ahmed confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the allowance increment. He assured that once the 2025 budget is passed, corps members would start receiving the new amount.
“The Federal Government has already approved the increment of your allowance. It is no longer news; we have the approval in our hands. What we are waiting for is just the passage of the budget. This month (January) has already ended, but once the budget is passed, by next month (February), you will start receiving ₦77,000 instead of the usual ₦33,000,” he stated.
Corps Members Still Waiting for Their January Allowance
While the NYSC is busy celebrating its approval for an increased allowance, corps members are facing a more immediate crisis: non-payment of their January stipend. Across the country, young graduates posted for national service are lamenting the delay, with many struggling to survive while waiting for their monthly allowance.
The frustration is evident on social media, where corps members have expressed their disappointment. Some are asking whether they should celebrate an increase that is yet to materialize or focus on the harsh reality that their current ₦33,000 has not yet been paid.
Is the NYSC Truly Committed to Corps Members’ Welfare?
Beyond financial matters, General Ahmed advised corps members to avoid misconduct and embrace values like diligence, honesty, and perseverance. He also encouraged them to integrate into their host communities and engage in meaningful Community Development Service (CDS) projects.
That’s a nice speech, but it does little to address the financial struggles corps members face. With the rising cost of living, many corps members depend solely on their stipends for survival. Announcing an increase without ensuring timely payment of existing allowances only adds to the frustration.
For now, the promise of ₦77,000 remains just that—a promise. Until corps members see their bank alerts, the announcement will remain another headline in Nigeria’s long list of unfulfilled government pledges.
