The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially announced an increase in the monthly allowance for its corps members, setting the new stipend at N77,000. This adjustment comes in response to the recent enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, which raised the minimum wage across Nigeria.
The announcement was made public by the NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, in a statement backed by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed. The increase, which was approved by the Federal Government, is set to take effect from July 2024, with provisions for arrears to be paid to current serving members.
“The Federal Government has approved the increase of Corps members’ monthly allowance to seventy-seven thousand naira (N77,000) with effect from July 2024. This is in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024,” Caroline Embu stated.
The news has been met with a mix of relief and frustration among corps members. While many are pleased with the increase, there have been reports of delays in the implementation of this new allowance. Some corps members received their September stipend at the old rate of N33,000, leading to public outcry and discussions on social media platforms.
This salary increment is a significant jump from the previous N33,000, which was last updated in 2020 following the implementation of the then-new minimum wage. The increase aims to cushion the economic pressures faced by corps members, especially in light of the rising cost of living and inflation in Nigeria.
The NYSC, established in 1973, is a mandatory one-year service program for Nigerian graduates under 30, aimed at promoting national unity and development. The corps members are deployed to various parts of the country different from their state of origin or study, engaging in community service, educational roles, and other government initiatives.
Critics of the increase argue that while the boost in allowance is welcome, the NYSC should also focus on improving other aspects of the corps members’ welfare, including living conditions, safety, and career development opportunities. There’s also a call for transparency in how the funds are managed to ensure that every corps member benefits from this adjustment.
As the country moves forward with this new salary structure for NYSC members, there’s cautious optimism about the impact on morale and service quality. However, the real test will be in consistent and fair implementation across all states and service points in Nigeria.