NYSC to spend N307.6bn on corps members’ allowances amid payment delay

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is projected to spend approximately N307.6 billion on the mobilisation and allowances of corps members following the increase in their stipends from N33,000 to N77,000, as per a statement released by the scheme in September 2024.

The pay raise followed the enactment of the new minimum wage bill in May 2024. However, five months after the announcement, the Federal Government is yet to commence the payment of the new allowance.

On average, the NYSC mobilises between 1,200 and 1,500 corps members per orientation camp across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mobilisation takes place in three batches annually A, B, and C bringing the total corps members mobilised yearly to around 333,000.With the new N77,000 monthly allowance, the government is expected to pay about N25.64 billion per batch, translating to N307.6 billion annually.

In the 2025 budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024, N430.7 billion was allocated to the NYSC—the highest in the last five years. Of this, N372.9 billion (86.5%) was earmarked for corps members’ allowances.

Despite the budgetary allocation, corps members have yet to receive the promised N77,000 monthly stipend.

Responding to inquiries, NYSC’s acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, attributed the delay to the lack of necessary cash backing from the government.

“The cash backing is still being awaited,” she stated in a brief response.

Meanwhile, in a WhatsApp message reportedly sent on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, the newly appointed Director-General of the NYSC, assured that payments would commence in March.

Efforts to obtain further clarification from the NYSC spokesperson proved futile, as calls and messages to her remained unanswered.