Months after announcing an increase in the monthly stipend of National Youth Service Corp, NYSC members, the Federal Government has assured that payment of the ₦77,000 allowance, including the backlog, will be made.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, gave the assurance while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, on Monday. He confirmed that serving corps members, as well as those who were in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024, would receive the backdated payment.
Olawande acknowledged the frustration corps members have faced due to the delayed implementation but reiterated that the payment process was in motion. He stated that the government was fully aware of its obligation and that corps members’ details were already in the system to facilitate disbursement.
In September 2024, the Federal Government raised the NYSC allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 in alignment with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. The announcement was met with excitement among corps members. However, six months later, they are yet to receive the new amount.
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The Director General of NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, had earlier assured corps members that the payment would begin in March. Olawande reaffirmed this, expressing confidence that the long-awaited allowance would soon be disbursed.
Explaining the reason behind the delay, the minister highlighted the role of budgetary processes in government expenditure. He noted that the new allowance was not initially included in the budget when the president made the announcement. Consequently, the government had to go through a formal approval process before implementation could commence.
Olawande emphasized that all necessary steps had now been completed, including budgetary allocation and approval. With these processes finalized, corps members should expect payment soon. He urged them to exercise patience, assuring them that the government remained committed to fulfilling its promise.
The NYSC stipend plays a crucial role in supporting young graduates during their mandatory one-year service to the nation. Many corps members depend on the monthly allowance to cover basic needs, making the delayed implementation a significant concern. With the minister’s reassurance, corps members can now look forward to receiving the long-awaited increase in their earnings.
Crediblenewsng.com
