The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to spend an estimated N307.6 billion on the mobilisation and payment of allowances to corps members, according to recent reports.
This figure reflects the increase in corps members’ allowances, which rose from N33,000 to N77,000, following the signing of the new minimum wage law in May 2024.
The increase in the allowances has significant implications for the NYSC’s budget. On average, the NYSC mobilises between 1,200 and 1,500 corps members across camps in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
This mobilisation occurs in three batches annually—A, B, and C—resulting in an average of 55,500 corps members per batch. In total, approximately 333,000 corps members are mobilised each year.
With the new allowance set at N77,000 per corps member, the total payment for one batch of corps members amounts to N25.64 billion. For the entire year, this brings the total cost of allowances to N307.6 billion.
The allocation for the NYSC in the 2025 federal budget, as presented by President Bola Tinubu, stands at N430.7 billion—the highest budgetary allocation for the scheme in the past five years.
Notably, 86.5% of this allocation, or N372.9 billion, is earmarked for the payment of corps members’ allowances.
Despite the significant allocation in the budget, the implementation of the new N77,000 allowance has been delayed.
The new rate, announced in September 2024, was expected to take effect in February 2025. However, five months after the announcement, the NYSC has yet to commence payment at the revised rate.
The Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, explained that the delay was due to the fact that the NYSC was still awaiting the necessary cash backing for the payments.
She stated, “The cash backing is still being awaited,” when responding to inquiries about the delay.
However, the newly appointed Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reportedly reassured that payments would begin in March 2025.
This marks a new phase for the NYSC after the delay in implementing the new allowance structure.
Despite these assurances, attempts to contact the NYSC spokesperson for further clarification were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
The delay in the implementation of the new allowance rate raises concerns about the financial strain on corps members who have been expecting the increased payment.
The N77,000 allowance is a significant boost to the financial well-being of the corps members, especially in light of the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
The NYSC’s inability to meet the expected payment timeline is also raising questions about the administration of funds within the scheme and the government’s ability to effectively implement budgetary provisions.
As March draws near, all eyes will be on the NYSC to see whether the promised payments will indeed begin.
Corps members, government officials, and stakeholders within the Nigerian youth service community are hoping that the payment issue will be resolved promptly, ensuring that the NYSC can fulfill its commitment to supporting the financial needs of Nigeria’s youth as they contribute to national development through the service year.
