The Federal Government has announced a significant increase in the NYSC allowance, raising the monthly pay of corps members to N77,000 starting from July 2024. This development marks a major change in the welfare of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who had been receiving N33,000 per month since 2019. The increase comes after the recent passage of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, which adjusted the national minimum wage to N70,000.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Caroline Embu, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for the NYSC, the new NYSC allowance was confirmed. The official announcement was backed by a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta. This letter serves as the formal approval for the new allowance, which aligns with the recent changes to the national minimum wage law.
Before this adjustment, the NYSC allowance was set at N33,000, which was implemented after the 2019 review of the minimum wage to N30,000. This previous increase aimed to improve the standard of living for corps members, but the current economic realities and rising cost of living have led to further calls for an increase. Many stakeholders and corps members had been speculating about a potential raise in their allowance after the government introduced the N70,000 minimum wage in 2024. However, the NYSC management had made it clear that only the Federal Government had the authority to adjust the NYSC allowance.
President Bola Tinubu, who signed the new Minimum Wage Bill into law on July 29, 2024, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all workers, including NYSC members, receive a fair wage that reflects the country’s economic conditions. Following this, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, the Director General of the NYSC, took proactive steps to ensure that corps members would benefit from this policy change. In a bid to secure a better welfare package for corps members, he paid an advocacy visit to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, during which he urged for a swift implementation of the increased NYSC allowance.
The Director General expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for responding to the needs of corps members at a critical time. He highlighted that this increase in the NYSC allowance would not only provide financial relief to the young Nigerians participating in the program but would also motivate them to give their best in service to their country. He stressed that the improved welfare package would play a vital role in boosting the morale of corps members, many of whom face various challenges while serving in different parts of the nation.
The NYSC has always been seen as an important initiative aimed at promoting unity and national development, and the government’s decision to increase the NYSC allowance further demonstrates its commitment to supporting the youth who play a key role in nation-building. By increasing the financial benefits for these young graduates, the government hopes to encourage more dedication and service among corps members, as they continue to work in various sectors across the country, including education, healthcare, and community development.
This adjustment in the NYSC allowance is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of corps members, many of whom have long called for an increase in their pay to better cope with the economic realities of the nation. The Federal Government’s move to raise the allowance to N77,000 is widely seen as a timely and necessary decision that will help alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by corps members and further strengthen their resolve to serve the country with pride and commitment.