The federal government has assured members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) will receive the backlog of their delayed increased N77,000 monthly allowance, as commencement of the payment of the new monthly allowance begins in March 2025.
The federal government had, on the 25th of September 2024, announced an increase in the monthly stipend for serving corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.
The increment is a direct response to the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024, which raised the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
The adjustment, approved by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission in September 2024, is to align corps members’ stipends with the new wage structure.
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However, the new adjustment has yet to be implemented despite repeated promises.
Ayodele Olawande, the minister of Youth Development, in a renewed assurance to corps members, announced that serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced are expected to receive backdated payments.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Olawande reaffirmed the government’s commitment to settling the backlog while speaking on a live television programme recently, when he said corps members will receive N77,000 allowance in March.
“You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive a backlog?’ ‘We have your details’.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate, but it will happen,” he said.
This comes a week after the new director-general of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, hinted that corps members should expect the new allowance to take effect in March.
This follows the implementation of the new national minimum wage, which increased to N70,000.
Nafiu confirmed the development in a statement released by Caroline Embu, the acting director of Information and Public Relations. He assured corps members that the government remains committed to their welfare and that all owed payments will be set
“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of N77,000 as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you,” Nafiu stated.
