By Samuel Timothy
In a bid to improve the conditions of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦70,000, in line with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Caroline Embu, NYSC’s spokesperson recalled that the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, had, previously, at a meeting with the Commission’s Chairman, reiterated the need for better welfare for corps members.
“The NYSC Boss is thankful to the Federal Government for the timely gesture and is optimistic that it will not only bring much-needed succour to the corps members but also boost their morale and motivate them to do even more in their service to the nation,” Embu stated.
NYSC Allowance Increase and Effect on National Service
The corps allowance increase is indicative of the growing position of the government to review public workers allowances following months of negotiation by the government, labour and the private sector.
Following the statutory review of the minimum wage act from ₦ 33,000 to the new ₦ 70,000 and the provisions of the maximum for public service remuneration. It was only a question of time a similar review would be initiated for corps members serving in NYSC.
Prior to this adjustment in corps allowance, corps members were receiving an allowance of ₦33,000 every month, which was an increase from its previous amount of ₦19,800 prior to 2020, which was when the ₦30,000 minimum wage law was signed.
This most recent change is an additional action on the part of ensuring that young Nigerians that are serving the country will be able to better manage their living expenses as inflation and the cost of living continues to rise.
Government Response and Future Prospects
Speaking on this issue, President Bola Tinubu hopes that the government will continue to be responsive on behalf of young Nigerians and enhancing their welfare, When he signed the new minimum wage law in July 2023, Tinubu made mention of the need for better compensation for all public sector employees and reiterated the government would make adjustments in order to improve standard of living.
“Beyond financial remuneration, we are committed to supporting our young men and women who have devoted their time and energy to serving the nation,”President Tinubu said in former speeches.
It is anticipated that the new corps allowance will not only provide financial relief, but also the young men and women will feel a sense of motivation and service year delivery during the service year.
The NYSC scheme has seen a diverse range of aged graduates contribute its service delivery to the health, education, and agricultural sector, and many rural citizens have become solely reliant on the corps service they provide.
This increase may also have a long-term effect on the perception of the NYSC, especially considering the rising calls for the scheme to be scrapped due to safety concerns and allegations of inadequate compensation. With this substantial improvement in allowances, the government may have strengthened its case for continuing the program, positioning the NYSC as a valuable asset for national development.
For corps members, the increase is a welcome development. Many have expressed relief and gratitude, with one commenting, “This is long overdue, considering the economic situation in the country. We hope that this increase will be consistent and that future governments will continue to value the service we provide.”
The new allowance structure is expected to take effect immediately, beginning with the July 2024 batch, and will likely continue for future batches unless there are further revisions.
