Nigerian youth corps members have voiced their outrage as they continue to receive a meager monthly allowance of N33,000, despite the government's promise to increase it to N77,000. The disappointment is palpable among these young Nigerians who were expecting the new allowance, which was supposed to take effect from July 2024 following the enactment of the 2024 Minimum Wage Act. The increment was seen as a much-needed relief to corps members battling soaring costs of living.
The government’s pledge of a significant pay rise had brought a glimmer of hope, but reports revealed that the administration paid corps members their usual N33,000 for September, raising serious concerns about its commitment to honoring the promise. For many corps members, this betrayal has come as a bitter surprise, dashing their plans and leaving them financially strained in their places of service across the nation.
In October, the reality struck again. Corps members received their allowance for the month, only to find out that it remained at N33,000. "They started paying us last Wednesday," shared a corps member stationed in Kogi State. "Many of us had hoped they would pay us N77,000 this time as they promised. Some had even planned their budget around it. So we were shocked and disappointed when we received N33,000."
The frustration has resonated across states, with other corps members in Oyo and Kwara expressing similar sentiments. For many, the allowance increase was not just a financial expectation but a lifeline in an economy where the cost of essential goods has skyrocketed. The delay, they argue, feels like an intentional oversight and disregard for their welfare. "Maybe they want us to be serving with hungry stomachs," quipped another corps member. "Continuing to pay us N33,000 is ridiculous, and even the officials are not saying anything. They have just kept quiet as if everything is fine."
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) itself has been unable to provide clear answers on when the new allowance will finally be implemented. When contacted, the NYSC admitted it was uncertain about when the directive for the increased payment would come into effect, further fueling the corps members’ disappointment and sense of abandonment.
Adding to the corps members' frustration, they noted that at least two batches had completed their service since the increment was announced, yet neither batch received the promised increase. "It is not easy for us," lamented another corps member. "This is why most corps members are not showing commitment."
