The Federal Government reaffirmed its pledge to clear overdue allowance increases for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members nationwide.
This follows months of delays since announcing a monthly stipend hike from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective July 2024.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande addressed mounting anxieties during a Channels Television interview on Monday.
He confirmed all eligible corps members—including those who completed service—will receive backdated payments.
“The new DG assured payments, and we’ve secured beneficiaries’ details,” Olawande stated, referencing recent remarks by NYSC Director General Olakunle Nafiu.
However, Olawande cautioned that procedural complexities might delay settlements.
“We’ll resolve the backlog, but patience is crucial,” he emphasized. The announcement follows Nafiu’s pledge last week to implement revised allowances by March 2025, citing meticulous record-keeping to prevent exclusions.
The prolonged delay has sparked widespread frustration among corps members, many of whom rely on stipends for essentials amid Nigeria’s rising inflation.
“This allowance isn’t luxury—it’s survival,” said Lagos-based member Chidinma Okoye, echoing peers’ distress over unmet promises.
Authorities attribute holdups to cross-agency coordination and verification processes.
Meanwhile, the NYSC continues collaborating with finance ministries to expedite payments.
Social media campaigns, however, accuse officials of indifference to youth welfare.
Economists warn delayed payments exacerbate financial strain on graduates already grappling with unemployment.
“Timely stipends reinforce trust in national service,” argued policy analyst Tunde Adebayo.
“Delays risk disenfranchising future participants.”
Despite setbacks, officials insist resolving arrears remains a priority.
The ministry plans quarterly briefings to update corps members, aiming to rebuild confidence.
Nafiu further pledged streamlined processes to prevent future delays, calling the allowance hike “a critical investment in Nigeria’s youth.”
As tensions simmer, student unions urge swift action, threatening protests if payments lag beyond March.
“We’ve waited nine months; empty assurances won’t suffice,” National Youth Council President Aisha Bello warned.
While the government’s renewed commitment offers hope, corps members demand tangible progress.
For thousands awaiting redress, the coming months will test authorities’ ability to transform promises into reality—and restore faith in a program central to national unity.
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