In a much-anticipated announcement, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that corps members across Nigeria will begin receiving a new monthly allowance of N77,000 starting March 2025. The statement came directly from Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the Director-General of NYSC, during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This development marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing concerns over the welfare of corps members, aligning their stipend with the nation’s updated minimum wage framework and offering relief after months of uncertainty.
A Long-Awaited Increment Takes Shape
The increase from the previous N33,000 allowance to N77,000 was first approved by the Federal Government in September 2024, following the passage of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act in July 2024, which raised the national minimum wage to N70,000. The NYSC adjustment, detailed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission dated September 25, 2024, reflects a commitment to ensuring corps members’ stipends keep pace with economic realities. However, implementation delays—attributed to funding challenges—had left many corps members frustrated, with payments still pegged at N33,000 as late as February 2025.
Brigadier General Nafiu, who assumed office as the 23rd NYSC DG on March 6, 2025, succeeding Yusha’u Ahmed, addressed these concerns head-on. “With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance,” he assured the corps members. He emphasized the NYSC’s meticulous record-keeping, adding, “I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you.” This promise comes as part of a broader N430.7 billion allocation to NYSC in the 2025 budget, with N372.9 billion earmarked specifically for corps members’ allowances, signaling robust financial backing for the increment.
A Boost to Corps Members’ Morale
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from corps members, many of whom have struggled to cope with rising living costs on the outdated N33,000 stipend. Speaking on behalf of her peers at the Garki Zonal Office, Corps Member Zaka Deborah Alheri (FC/24A/5831) expressed gratitude to the DG for his dedication to their welfare. “We appreciate the Director-General’s efforts to ensure this increase comes to fruition,” she said, reflecting a sentiment of renewed hope among the cohort.
Nafiu’s interaction was not just about finances—it was a call to duty. He urged corps members to remain calm, dedicated, and disciplined, underscoring the NYSC’s foundational role in fostering national unity. “The scheme exposes graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria, instilling patriotism, leadership, and teamwork,” he noted, paying tribute to its founding vision from 1973 under General Yakubu Gowon. His words resonate at a time when the NYSC’s relevance is under scrutiny, with some critics advocating its scrapping amid security and economic challenges.
Overcoming Funding Hurdles
The road to this pay hike has been bumpy. Earlier promises of implementation—first in July 2024, then February 2025—faltered due to what NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu described as a lack of “cash backing.” The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had even called for a probe into the delays in early March, highlighting the disparity between federal and state governments already paying the new minimum wage and the NYSC’s lag. Nafiu’s definitive March timeline suggests these funding issues have been resolved, aligning with the 2025 budget’s passage and disbursement.
For context, the NYSC mobilizes approximately 333,000 corps members annually across three batches (A, B, and C), with each batch averaging 55,500 participants. At N77,000 per corps member, monthly payouts for one batch total around N4.27 billion, translating to an annual expenditure of roughly N307.6 billion on allowances alone. This scale underscores the logistical and financial feat now set to commence in March.
A Step Toward Welfare and Stability
Nafiu’s assurance extends beyond monetary relief—it’s a reaffirmation of the NYSC’s commitment to its corps members’ well-being. “The Federal Government and NYSC management prioritize your welfare,” he reiterated, a message that carries weight amid broader national tensions, including the recent state of emergency in Rivers State. His leadership, bolstered by a distinguished military career—including a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College—brings a disciplined approach to navigating these challenges.
As of March 21, 2025, the NYSC stands on the cusp of delivering on this long-delayed promise. For corps members, the N77,000 allowance represents more than a paycheck—it’s a lifeline in an economy marked by inflation and hardship. While questions linger about the scheme’s future, this increment offers a tangible boost, reinforcing its role in supporting Nigeria’s youth as they serve the nation.
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