By Winifred Momoh
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has addressed concerns over the promised increase in corps members’ monthly allowance to ₦77,000. Recently, there has been widespread of information as it concerns a possible increment, particularly following the approval of the new national minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu. This announcement had sparked hope among corps members, many of whom expected a significant boost in their monthly stipends. However, the NYSC has now stepped forward to clarify the situation.
The rumors surrounding the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance for NYSC members gained momentum after President Tinubu signed a bill that raised the national minimum wage to ₦70,000. Corps members had hoped that their stipends, currently set at ₦33,000 per month, would be adjusted accordingly. The news made waves on social media as the new development was expected to reflect on the corps members upcoming payments.
A source within the NYSC revealed that many corps members have been eagerly awaiting the increase. One member shared, “They actually paid us ₦33,000 this month. I hope that will change by next month,” expressing optimism about the future of their stipends.
NYSC’s Official Statement on the Allowance
In response to the circulating rumors, the NYSC has confirmed that there is currently no official directive from the federal government regarding an increase in corps members’ allowances. According to the NYSC, while the new minimum wage has been enacted, there is no evidence to suggest that the corps members’ stipends will be adjusted to match the new ₦70,000 threshold.
It was confirmed that no formal announcement had been made concerning an increase in the NYSC allowance The federal government and NYSC have remained silent on the matter, leaving the initial reports unsubstantiated. Both the federal government and NYSC have remained silent on the matter, leaving the initial reports unsubstantiated at this time.
Future Prospects for NYSC Members
Despite the current lack of confirmation, discussions continue regarding the possibility of increasing the NYSC allowance in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges, and many individuals have come out to advocate for the corps members making it clear that while NYSC members are not classified as full-time civil servants, their allowance should be reviewed to align with the minimum wage due to the rising cost of living.
There is a growing sentiment that corps members deserve more financial support, especially given the role they play in national development. With inflation and economic pressures mounting, an increase in the NYSC allowance could serve as a means to alleviate the financial strain faced by many participants in the scheme.
The future of the NYSC allowance remains a hot topic of discussion, and many hope that the government will soon take action to address the needs of the country’s youth corps members. Until then, corps members are advised to stay patient and keep an eye out for any official updates from the NYSC or the federal government regarding their allowances.
