Corps members across Nigeria have expressed frustration after receiving the old monthly stipend of ₦33,000 for September, despite the Federal Government’s recent approval of an increase to ₦77,000.
The adjustment, announced to be effective from July 2024, had raised the hopes of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who expected the new allowance this month.
The Federal Government, in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, officially raised the NYSC allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000.
This announcement had been widely celebrated, with NYSC Director General Brigadier General YD Ahmed appreciating the move, stating that the raise would “bring financial relief and motivate the corps members.”
However, the September payment has not reflected the increase, leaving corps members across the country dissatisfied.
According to reports, some have yet to receive their monthly stipends, while those who have been paid received only ₦33,000 instead of the expected ₦77,000.
A corps member, sharing their frustration, remarked, “They haven’t paid yet, but those around me who received theirs got ₦33,000 instead of the promised ₦77,000.”
The failure to deliver the new allowance has sparked widespread criticism on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users have voiced their displeasure with the government’s inaction.
Many Nigerians had expected the NYSC stipend to reflect the new minimum wage figure, following President Bola Tinubu’s recent announcement of a ₦70,000 minimum wage, fueling hopes that the corps members’ allowance would match the promised ₦77,000.
Recall that earlier reports had confirmed the increase, with the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, issuing a statement that read: “The Federal Government has approved the increase of corps members’ monthly allowance to seventy-seven thousand naira (₦77,000), with effect from July 2024, in accordance with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.”
