The Nigerian government has increased the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from N33,000 to N77,000, citing the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. This change takes effect from July 2024.
According to Caroline Embu, NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, the approval was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta.
“The federal government has approved the increase of Corps members’ monthly allowance to Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira (N77,000) with effect from July 2024,” the statement read. “This is in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.”
Prior to this approval, NYSC Director General Brigadier General Yushua Ahmed had paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman, soliciting a robust welfare package for Corps members. Ahmed expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, noting that the increased allowance will bring much-needed succour to corps members.
“The NYSC boss is thankful to the Federal Government for the timely gesture and is optimistic that it will not only bring much needed succour to the Corps Members, but also boost their morale and motivate them to do even more, in their service to the nation,” the statement added.
Furthermore, Brigadier General Ahmed stated,
“This is democracy and it is a very important exercise because we are trying to elect people who will lead our people at the grassroots. The local government had always operated as an autonomous arm of the government. Our mandate is to ensure that our people are lifted from the level of poverty. We are going to support the local government to allow their programmes.”
On the turnout of voters at his polling unit, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said, “The voters’ turn out showed that people believe that the government’s decision will touch their lives. People are becoming increasingly aware that the government will touch their lives. People have resolved to choose those that will lead them. It must be done in a democratic way, and we won’t take it for granted.”