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The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the payment of the revised ₦77,000 monthly allowance to serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, following months of delays attributed to budgetary constraints. This increase, announced in September 2024 to align with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, raised the stipend from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024.

While current corps members have begun receiving the updated allowance, the government has pledged to pay the backlog of arrears to those who served during the period of the announced increment but had completed their service before the payments commenced. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, assured that all affected ex-corps members would receive their entitled arrears, although he noted that the payments might not be immediate.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reiterated this commitment, stating that the government is conscious of its promise and will handle the arrears within the budgetary provisions once funds are available.

This development comes after advocacy groups, such as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), highlighted the non-payment of ₦77,000 to over 618,000 ex-corps members who exited the scheme between February and November 2024.

While the disbursement of the new allowance marks a significant milestone, corps members and ex-corps members continue to anticipate the resolution of pending arrears, hoping that the government follows through on its promises without further delays.