National Youth Service Corps members have voiced their displeasure with the Federal Government’s continued inability to pay the N77,000 allowance.
Since July 2024, the Federal Government had authorized raising the monthly allowance for corps members from N33,000 to N77,000.
According to Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed, the NYSC’s director-general, the new allowance was put into effect that year because of the non-release of money.
Later, the DG declared that the N77,000 would be distributed to corps members in February 2025.
Despite the official announcement, findings, however, revealed otherwise, as corps members still received the usual N33,000 instead of the promised N77,000.
Regarding the N77,000 allowance, a corps member serving in Abia State charged that the Federal Government was dishonest.
The corps member who spoke on condition of anonymity because corps members are not permitted to speak to the media, bemoaned the N33,000 stipend as being insufficient.
According to the Corper, “The N33,000 is not enough for us. The PPA where we are posted doesn’t provide accommodation; we have to handle that ourselves.
“The economic situation of the country is not new to anybody. Feeding is another issue in an unfamiliar place. It’s nearly impossible to survive on N33,000 a month. PPAs don’t pay well; some pay as little as N4,000. Imagine surviving on N37,000 a month when you add the N4,000.
“Things are very expensive. I haven’t even included transportation costs. In the fellowship house where I’m staying, we contribute for food, and after that, one is left with a meagre amount. I haven’t even mentioned other bills that have to be paid. The money is very poor, and the Federal Government keeps promising and failing us. This is very bad.”
Another corps member serving in another southwestern state expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government over the delay in paying the new allowance.
She said, “The Federal Government should do something; this N33,000 is insufficient. After calculating my expenses, I see that I spend over N70,000 a month. The money I spend on transportation alone is over N12,000 monthly, excluding the days I go for CDS. I had to call my mother to ask for support because this monthly allowance is inadequate. One cannot survive on this unless one is ready to suffer.”
Another corps member stationed in Lagos also voiced her displeasure, stating, “Given the hardship, I don’t know how they expect us to survive on N33,000. We have not seen anything despite their repeated promises of N77,000.”
When our correspondent contacted the NYSC’s Director of Communication, Carol Embu, for comment, she did not return calls or respond to a text message.
A top NYSC officer, who wished to remain anonymous, acknowledged that the plan had not yet started the N77,000 payment.
“We are yet to start payment for the new allowance,” he said.
