Babatunji Wusu –
- NANS’ Demand: The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) urges the Federal Government to investigate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over its failure to implement the approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance.
- Allowance Increase: The Federal Government approved an increment from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective July 2024. However, corps members have yet to receive the updated allowance.
- NYSC’s Response: NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, cited a delay in fund disbursement as the reason for non-payment.
- Discrepancy in Payments: Contrary to promises made by the NYSC DG, corps members received only ₦33,000 as their February 2025 allowance instead of the expected ₦77,000.
- Call for Action: NANS Vice President, Felicia Akinbodunse, described the situation as unjust and urged the NYSC to provide an explanation while calling on the government to investigate the delay.
- Concerns Over Morale: Akinbodunse warned that withholding the approved allowance could demoralize corps members, especially given the country’s economic challenges.
- Engagement with NYSC: NANS leadership plans to engage with the NYSC to seek clarity on the delay and ensure corps members receive their rightful payment.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to investigate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over its failure to implement the newly approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance for corps members. Despite the Federal Government’s approval of the increase from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective July 2024, the NYSC has yet to begin payments.
Speaking on the issue, NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, expressed frustration over the delay, questioning why corps members were still receiving the old allowance months after the approval. She emphasized that the NYSC DG, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, had publicly assured that payments would commence by the end of February 2025. However, findings from her office revealed that corps members only received ₦33,000 for February, contradicting the NYSC’s earlier promises.
The NYSC DG attributed the delay to the non-release of funds, but NANS insists this is unacceptable, given that both the Federal Government and several state governments have already begun implementing the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for their workers. Akinbodunse described the situation as an injustice, stating that corps members should not be left behind in the wage adjustment.
Furthermore, she cautioned that failing to pay the revised allowance could negatively impact the morale of corps members, especially in light of the country’s current economic realities. To address the issue, NANS leadership plans to engage directly with the NYSC for further clarification and resolution.
Akinbodunse assured corps members that NANS remains committed to ensuring their welfare and will continue to push for the immediate implementation of the ₦77,000 allowance.
