There is excitement across the country as the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has announced that corps members will begin receiving a monthly allowance of N77,000 starting in March 2025. However, for many corps members, this news comes with a mix of hope and skepticism, as past promises of allowance increments have gone unfulfilled.
A Renewed Promise Amid Past Disappointments
During an interactive session at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja, General Nafiu assured corps members that the government remains committed to their welfare. He emphasized that the NYSC and the Federal Government recognize the contributions of corps members and are determined to improve their financial situation.
“Starting from March, your monthly allowance will be N77,000. NYSC maintains accurate records, and I assure you that payments will be made promptly. Your service to the nation is highly valued,” he stated.
While this announcement has sparked celebrations among corps members, many still remember a similar promise made in the past that never materialized. In previous years, there were talks of increasing the allowance to match the national minimum wage, but corps members were left disappointed when the promise failed to come to fruition. The most notable instance was in 2020, when discussions about raising the allowance beyond N33,000 surfaced but were later abandoned due to economic constraints.
Hope and Caution as March Approaches
With inflation and the rising cost of living, an increase in corps members’ stipends is long overdue. However, given past experiences, many remain cautious, waiting to see if this latest promise will be honored.
