The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced payment of the newly approved 77,000 monthly allowance to corps members, following months of anticipation.
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The increment, which aligns with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, replaces the previous 33,000 stipend.
Although the Federal Government approved the allowance increase in September 2024, corps members had to wait six months before receiving the higher pay. NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, had earlier assured that disbursement would begin in March 2025.
Similarly, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, confirmed that payments would be backdated to compensate for the delay.
The 2025 budget reflects this financial adjustment, with N430.7 billion allocated to the NYSC. Out of this, N72.9 billion is specifically set aside for corps members’ stipends, ensuring that the increased allowance is sustainable.
The payment rollout comes amid recent criticisms over the previous N33,000 allowance, which many corps members deemed inadequate due to the rising cost of living. One such critic, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, known as Raye on social media, expressed her frustration in a viral TikTok video. She accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of failing to address economic hardship, citing soaring food and transportation costs. She revealed that her remarks drew threats from NYSC officials, who allegedly pressured her to take down the video and stop criticizing the government.
