The Federal Government has reassured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that the backlog of the newly approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance will be paid, despite the prolonged delay in implementation.
The allowance, which was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 in September 2024, was met with widespread excitement among corps members. However, six months after the announcement, the new pay structure remains unimplemented, leading to frustration among affected members of the scheme.
Despite previous government assurances, corps members have continued to express disappointment over the delay, with many taking to social media to demand swift action. Critics argue that the lack of implementation reflects poor planning and insensitivity to the welfare of young graduates serving the nation.
In response to the growing concerns, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, confirmed in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today that corps members—both serving and those in the scheme at the time of the announcement—will receive their backdated payments once the implementation process is finalized.
“You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they asked, ‘What about those leaving now—will they receive the backlog?’ He said, ‘We have your details.’ The backlog will be worked on and paid. It may not be immediate, but it will happen,” Olawande assured.
This statement follows a similar promise made by the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who recently assured corps members that the new allowance structure would be implemented by March 2025.
Olawande reiterated this timeline, stating that corps members should expect payments soon. When pressed on whether the allowances would begin reflecting this month, he responded confidently, “It will happen.”
Addressing the reasons behind the delayed implementation, the Minister attributed the setback to budgetary constraints.
“I’ve explained this several times. Some people say I always repeat, ‘It is a process,’ but truly, it is. Government processes require proper budgetary allocation before implementation,” he explained.
He further noted that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the increment in September 2024, the NYSC’s 2024 budget had already been finalized, meaning that the new salary structure was not included in the initial allocations.
“Before anyone can approve payments, there must be a proper budgetary allocation. But the budget has now been adjusted, approvals have been secured, and we are set to begin payments,” he stated.
The delayed implementation has sparked mixed reactions from corps members across the country.
Many have expressed frustration over the prolonged wait, especially in light of the rising cost of living and economic hardship. Others have called on the government to expedite the process to prevent further hardship for young graduates dedicating a year of national service.
On social media, hashtags such as #PayNYSCAllowance and #77kForCorpersNow have been trending, with corps members and advocacy groups pressuring the government to fulfill its promise.
A corps member serving in Lagos, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, lamented the situation, stating:
“We were all excited when the announcement was made, but months have passed, and we are still stuck with ₦33,000. The cost of transportation, food, and accommodation has skyrocketed, and many of us are struggling to survive.”
Similarly, another corps member serving in Kaduna, Fatima Musa, added:
“It’s unfair that we have to wait this long for something that should have been implemented immediately. Many of us depend on this allowance to support our families. The government needs to act fast.”
The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, has played a crucial role in nation-building and youth empowerment. Each year, thousands of graduates are deployed across Nigeria, often serving in remote areas where they contribute to education, healthcare, and community development.
The new allowance structure was meant to boost morale, improve welfare, and ensure corps members can meet basic living expenses. However, the delay in implementation has left many questioning the government’s commitment to supporting young people in national service.
As the Federal Government finalizes the necessary processes for disbursing the new allowance, many are urging for swift action to ensure corps members receive their rightful payments without further delay.
While the latest reassurances from the Minister of Youth Development and the NYSC Director General provide some hope, corps members remain eagerly waiting for concrete action rather than just promises.
With March now set as the expected timeframe for the first disbursements, corps members nationwide will be watching closely to see whether the long-awaited ₦77,000 allowance finally becomes a reality.
