Corps members jubilate as N77,000 allowance hits accounts

By Ukpono Ukpong

True to the promise made by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, corps members across the country have begun receiving their increased allowance of N77,000.

The March payment reflects the long-awaited increment, bringing joy and relief to thousands of young graduates undergoing the one-year mandatory national service.

This development follows the commitment made by the NYSC leadership to align corps members’ stipends with the new minimum wage. The allowance was increased from the initial N33,000 to N77,000.

Reports from various social media platforms indicate widespread excitement among corps members. Many have expressed gratitude for the improved allowance, noting that it will significantly ease their financial burdens.

Some corps members shared their joy on social media, celebrating the increase and commending the NYSC for fulfilling its promise.

READ ALSO: E-paper: 10 things you need to know on The DailytimesNGR

The increment is expected to enhance their welfare, allowing them to better cope with the rising cost of living.

Speaking on the development, some corps members described the allowance increase as a major relief.

“This is a big step for us. We have been struggling with the previous amount, especially with transportation and feeding costs. Now, things will be much better,” said a corps member serving in Abuja.

Another corps member in Lagos added, “We appreciate the government for making this happen. It shows that our welfare is being considered.”

The NYSC had previously assured corps members that their allowance would be reviewed following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

Daily Times last week reported that the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, had hinted that all Corps Members would be credited with their new monthly allowance of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira with effect from March, 2025.

He said the Scheme and Federal Government are responsive to their welfare and would continue to ensure that their well-being is accorded maximum priority at all times.

The Director General gave the hint while interacting with Corps Members in Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

General Nafiu, who thanked the Corps Members for their selfless service to the nation, advised them to remain calm, dedicated, focused, and disciplined.

He lauded the founding father of the Scheme for conceiving the vision, while he advocated that all and sundry should rally round the scheme.

General Nafiu added that NYSC is a beautiful scheme that is building bridges and exposing graduate youths to learn and understand the cultural values of places outside their places of birth.

He stated further that management would continue to instil the virtues of patriotism, discipline , self-restraint, good morals, leadership qualities, and teamwork in the successive batches of Corps Members.

“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 l can assure you that your money will be paid. The Nation and the Scheme appreciate you, “he said.