The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has announced that corps members across Nigeria will begin receiving a new monthly allowance of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira (N77,000) starting in March 2025.
The announcement was made in a statement by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, and shared with journalists.
Brigadier General Nafiu reassured corps members that the NYSC management and the Federal Government remain committed to their welfare. He emphasized that ensuring their well-being is a top priority.
“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The Nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he said.
Background of the Allowance Increase
The increase in corps members’ monthly allowance follows the Nigerian government’s adjustment of the national minimum wage.
In 2024, the Federal Government enacted the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, raising the minimum wage to N70,000. This change necessitated an increase in corps members’ stipends to align with the new wage structure.
Following this, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission approved the increment of corps members’ allowances from N33,000 to N77,000 in a letter issued in September 2024. The Federal Government then allocated N430.7 billion to the NYSC in the 2025 budget, with N72.9 billion specifically designated for corps members’ stipends.
However, despite the approval and budgetary provisions, there were delays in disbursing the new allowance, and as of February 2025, corps members were still receiving the previous stipend of N33,000.
Call for Dedication and Unity
Addressing corps members, General Nafiu commended their dedication and urged them to remain disciplined and committed to their national assignments.
He also reflected on the vision of the NYSC’s founding fathers, calling on Nigerians to support the scheme’s objectives. According to him, the NYSC plays a vital role in fostering national unity by exposing young graduates to different cultures and traditions across the country.
Reiterating the NYSC’s commitment to timely payments, General Nafiu assured corps members that the new allowance would be disbursed without further delays.
Speaking on behalf of corps members in the Garki Zone, Corps Member Zaka Deborah Alheri (FC/24A/5831) expressed gratitude to the Director-General for his efforts in securing the pay increase. She praised the NYSC leadership for prioritizing the welfare of corps members and ensuring the prompt implementation of the new stipend.
