Across the country, thousands of young Nigerians serving their nation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) wait, not just for their monthly stipend, but for a promise yet to be fulfilled.
Despite the Federal Government’s approval of the ₦77,000 minimum wage in July 2024, corps members still received only ₦33,000 for their February allowance last Friday, the same amount they’ve been paid for years. And patience is wearing thin.
The NYSC, through a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Caroline Embu, offered a brief and telling explanation: “The cash backing is still being awaited.”
In simpler terms, while the government has approved the new wage, the actual funds haven’t been made available to the NYSC. Without this financial support, the revised stipend remains a promise on paper.
But for many corps members, this answer is far from satisfying.
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been vocal in its criticism of the delay. In a statement on Monday, NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus Affairs, Sileola Akinbodunse, described the situation as a “gross injustice.”
“It is unfair that corps members, who sacrifice so much to serve their country, are still receiving the old allowance when other government workers are already benefitting from the increase,” Akinbodunse said.
NANS also questioned why NYSC staff themselves had begun receiving the new wage while the corps members they oversee were left behind.
“This delay is unacceptable,” Akinbodunse continued. “We demand transparency and a thorough investigation into why this situation persists.”
For many corps members, the old ₦33,000 allowance no longer stretches far enough. In a country grappling with rising inflation and soaring living costs, the gap between earnings and expenses grows wider every day.
NANS has also called for a formal probe into the NYSC’s handling of the wage adjustment and urged the Federal Government to step in. The student body also plans to meet directly with the NYSC to demand answers.
“The morale of corps members is at stake,” Akinbodunse warned. “If we continue to ignore their rights, we risk discouraging future graduates from serving the nation with enthusiasm and dedication.”
Source: Ripples