Corps members across Nigeria have again expressed outrage over the Federal Government’s failure to commence the payment of the approved N77,000 monthly allowance.
Despite earlier assurances, many serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) confirmed receiving only N33,000 as their February 2025 allowance.
The Federal Government had previously announced that the new allowance, increased from N33,000 to N77,000, would take effect from July 2024.
However, the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed, later shifted the implementation date to February 2025, citing delayed release of funds.
Corp members express tiredness over FG’s failed promises
A corps member serving in Abia State, who requested anonymity due to NYSC regulations, lamented the impact of the continued delay on their welfare.
“The N33,000 is not enough for us. The PPA where we are posted doesn’t provide accommodation, so we have to cover 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. Things are very expensive. I haven’t even included transportation costs. The government keeps promising and failing us. This is very bad,” she said.
Corp members decry high cost of spending
Another corps member serving in Osun State shared similar frustrations, saying the current allowance doesn’t match the high cost of living.
“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. Transportation alone takes 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,” she said.
A corps member in Lagos also expressed disappointment, saying:
“I don’t know how they expect us to survive on N33,000 when there is so much hardship. They keep promising N77,000, yet we have not seen anything,” she said.
NYSC yet to speak over 77k allowance issues
Efforts to get an official comment from the NYSC proved unsuccessful as the Director of Communication, Carol Embu, did not respond to calls or text messages.
However, a senior NYSC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the payment of the new allowance has not started.
“We are yet to start payment for the new allowance,” the official said.
Bandits kidnap former NYSC director general
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bandits had abducted a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), and many others in Katsina state.
Tsiga and others were kidnapped after bandits attacked Tsiga community in the Bakori local government area of Katsina State. As reported by leadership, the bandits attacked the community around 12:30am on Thursday, February 6, 2025.