NYSC DG Again Assures Corps Members N77K Allowance by March, But Excludes Promised Arrears
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has assured corps members that the new monthly allowance of N77,000 will be implemented starting in March 2025. But has decided not to mention the plans of the scheme to pay the promised arrears for corps members who were serving when the increment was announced, last year.
The DG, who gave the assurance during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja only announced the plans of the scheme to start paying the current corps members from March, 2025.
The development comes months after the NYSC announced the proposed increment of the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, in line with the new Minimum Wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu in July of 2024, after a previous increase in 2019 to N33,000, also following a review of the Minimum Wage to N30,000.
The increment was also followed by an order from the president that corps members who were serving during that period will be duly paid their arrears from July, 2024.
But Federal Government and the scheme reneged from their promises by not paying both the arrears of the previous corps members (who are not through serving) and the current ones.
In the statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the NYSC said the approval of N77,000 was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated 25th September 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
Brigadier-General Nafiu emphasized that the well-being of the corpers remained a top priority and urged them to remain calm, dedicated, focused, and disciplined in their service to the nation.
“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he stated.
He also commended the vision of the NYSC’s founding fathers, describing the scheme as an essential institution that fosters national unity by exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. He assured corps members that NYSC management would continue to instil values such as patriotism, discipline, leadership, and teamwork in each new batch.
Corps Member Zaka Deborah Alheri, FC/24A/5831, speaking on behalf of her colleagues at the Garki Zone, expressed gratitude to the Director General for his commitment to ensuring the timely payment of their increased allowance.
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