Outrage as FG Fails to Pay NYSC’s Promised N77,000 Allowance
The Federal Government is facing intense backlash from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over its failure to implement the long-promised N77,000 monthly allowance, despite multiple official assurances. Frustration and anger have reached boiling point among corps members who feel abandoned in the face of an escalating economic crisis.
The government had initially announced an upward review of the NYSC stipend from N33,000 to N77,000, effective July 2024. However, delays ensued, with the Director-General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed, citing a lack of released funds as the reason for the postponed implementation. In a bid to reassure corps members, the DG later stated that payments would officially begin in February 2025.
But as February drew to a close, corps members were left in shock and dismay after receiving only N33,000—the same outdated allowance that has been described as grossly inadequate to meet their needs in Nigeria’s harsh economic climate.
“This is Deceit!” Corps Members Cry Out
Reports from various states reveal widespread dissatisfaction, with corps members accusing the Federal Government of deception and insincerity.
A corps member serving in Abia State, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH under anonymity, decried the FG’s failure to deliver on its promises.
“The N33,000 is not enough for us. The PPA where we are posted doesn’t provide accommodation; we have to handle that ourselves. The economic situation of the country is not new to anybody. Feeding is another issue in an unfamiliar place. It’s nearly impossible to survive on N33,000 a month. PPAs don’t pay well; some pay as little as N4,000. Imagine surviving on N37,000 a month when you add the N4,000,” she lamented.
Another corps member in Osun State revealed the financial strain she has endured due to the government’s failure to implement the increase.
“The Federal Government should do something; this N33,000 is insufficient. After calculating my expenses, I see that I spend over N70,000 a month. The money I spend on transportation alone is over N12,000 monthly, excluding the days I go for CDS. I had to call my mother to ask for support because this monthly allowance is inadequate. One cannot survive on this unless one is ready to suffer.”
In Lagos, corps members expressed similar frustrations. One of them bluntly stated, “I don’t know how they expect us to survive on N33,000 when there is so much hardship. They keep promising N77,000, yet we have not seen anything.”
NYSC Officials Silent as FG Dodges Accountability
Attempts to get an official response from NYSC authorities have so far been met with silence. The Director of Communication of the NYSC, Carol Embu, failed to respond to calls or messages regarding the issue. However, a senior NYSC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the scheme had yet to begin payments for the increased allowance.
With inflation at an all-time high, the cost of living soaring, and corps members struggling to make ends meet, many are now calling on the government to take immediate action and fulfill its promises. The continued failure to pay the revised allowance has fueled widespread resentment and calls for urgent intervention, as corps members grapple with financial hardship and dwindling trust in the system.
As frustration mounts, many are left wondering—will the Federal Government finally honor its commitment, or is this just another broken promise in a long list of disappointments?