The Federal Government of Nigeria has once again paid the previous monthly allowance of N33,000 to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the month of October despite the recent announcement of a new N77,000 allowance.
Tribune Online reports that on the 25th of September, 2024, the federal government announced an increase in the monthly stipend for serving corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.
The change was said to align with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and was considered a significant boost to the welfare package for corps members.
However, despite the official announcement, corps members were paid the old allowance of N33,000 for September.
In the latest development, some corps members confirmed that the implementation of the new allowance has still not commenced, as they received N33,000 for October instead of the approved N77,000.
Frustrated by the delay, some corps members have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the situation.
According to them, the N33,000 stipend is insufficient to cover even basic transportation expenses, let alone other daily needs.
Reacting to the development on X, one of the corps member, @prinx_ux, tweeted, ”The cost of living for NYSC corp members is very high, minimum wage is 70k yet the Federal government and #nysc is still paying us 33k. How on earth are they expecting us to survive in this hard country? Transportation is high,food is expensive. This doesn’t make sense nah.
“How should we adapt when we are spending more than the allowee on transport. Well it’s well. Na me wan serve Nigeria.”
Earlier this month, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, disclosed that the recent increase in corps members’ allowances has not been implemented due to the non-release of funds.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ahmed explained that the government has yet to provide the necessary funds for the new allowance to take effect.
He further revealed that although NYSC staff salaries were revised about four to five months ago, the increment has also not been implemented.
