NYSC debunks rumours of increased allowance for corps members
By Sodiq Adelakun
The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has denied reports that the Nigerian government has increased the remuneration for corps members.
Despite rumours circulating online, the NYSC confirmed that the monthly allowance for corps members remains N33,000.
During a visit to the NYSC orientation camp in Ogun State on Saturday, the Director-General of the NYSC, Yusha’u Ahmed, addressed the possibility of an allowance increase.
He stated that negotiations are ongoing and corps members may receive a pay raise once the minimum wage negotiations are completed.
However, the NYSC has urged corps members to disregard any information suggesting an immediate increase in their allowance.
The NYSC scheme is a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates under the age of 30, aimed at promoting national unity and development.
However, Mr Ahmed said his comments were misrepresented in some sections of the media where he was quoted as saying President Bola Tinubu has approved an increment for corps members, the NYSC spokesperson, Eddy Megwa, said in a statement on Sunday.
“For clarity’s sake, General Ahmed, while addressing corps members, said it is expected that they would benefit from the minimum wage when it is approved; he did not say the President has approved any increment in corps members’ allowance,” the statement reads in part.
Mr Megwa advised journalists to uphold tenets of verification in their reportage so as not to incite unnecessary apprehension among the scheme’s stakeholders.
“Meanwhile, as part of his oversight functions during Orientation periods, the DG advised the corps members on different issues relating to patriotism, entrepreneurship, security consciousness, and community development, among other issues of youth development for leadership roles,” he added.
The NYSC corps members’ allowance is usually determined based on the country’s minimum wage.
For instance, the corps members had their allowances increased from N19,800 to N33,000 in 2020, months after a new minimum wage of N30,000 took effect.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government and the labour unions are currently negotiating a new minimum wage after the expiration of the N30,000 minimum wage.
However, there is no new minimum wage yet, and it is unclear if this would be extended to the NYSC Corp members.
