By Blessing Obi
Corps members in Nigeria will effective from February receive N77,000 monthly allowance, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced.
Ahmed made the revelation while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members in Katsina State on Thursday.
He confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the increase in monthly stipends from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, with implementation scheduled to begin once the 2025 budget is passed.
For many young graduates undergoing the mandatory one-year national service, this announcement comes as a much-needed relief amid rising living costs. The NYSC scheme, established in 1973 to foster unity and national development, has over the years provided corps members with a stipend to support their sustenance. However, given the economic realities in Nigeria, many have clamored for an upward review of their allowance.
Speaking to corps members in Katsina, Ahmed reassured them that the increase was already set in motion. “The Federal Government has already approved the increment of your allowance. It is no longer news; we have the approval in our hands. What we are waiting for is just the passage of the budget,” he stated.
This increase aligns with the broader efforts of the current administration to cushion the economic impact of inflation and enhance the welfare of Nigerian youths. If fully implemented, the ₦77,000 stipend will mark a significant improvement, allowing corps members to better afford transportation, feeding, accommodation, and other essential needs during their service year.
Corps members and stakeholders have welcomed the announcement with optimism, expressing hope that the new allowance will be paid without delays. “This is great news! We’ve been struggling with the current amount, especially with high transport and rent costs. I just hope they implement it as promised and the previous months,” said Irete Godswill Eromosele, a serving corps member in Enugu state.
While the announcement has sparked excitement, there are concerns about how smoothly the implementation will go. The increase is contingent on the passage of the 2025 budget, and any delays in budget approval could push back the payment timeline. Furthermore, ensuring timely disbursement to all corps members across the 36 states and the FCT will require a well-coordinated approach by the NYSC and relevant government agencies.
Financial analysts have also pointed out that while the increment is commendable, it may have implications for Nigeria’s fiscal policies. The government will need to balance this expenditure with revenue generation to sustain the new allowance without affecting other critical sectors.
The announcement of a ₦77,000 allowance for corps members marks a historic shift in Nigeria’s youth service scheme, providing much-needed financial support to young graduates. However, as corps members eagerly anticipate the implementation in February 2025, all eyes are now on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure a swift passage of the 2025 budget.
For now, corps members remain hopeful that the promise made by the NYSC DG will materialize, easing their financial burdens and making their service year a more rewarding experience.
