The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reassured its members that they will receive the new monthly allowance of ₦77,000, including arrears, once funds are released by the Federal Government.
This assurance follows widespread disappointment after corps members received the old ₦33,000 allowance in September, despite the Federal Government’s recent approval of the increase to ₦77,000, set to take effect from July 2024.
The delay in payment has caused frustration among corps members who had anticipated the higher sum, especially after planning their finances based on the newly approved figure.
The NYSC clarified that the delay in the payment of the new allowance is due to logistical issues and the ongoing process required for the release of funds.
The Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for NYSC, Caroline Embu, emphasized that the delay is not the fault of the NYSC itself, as it does not control the disbursement of funds, which is handled by the Federal Government.
Corps members have taken to social media to express their disappointment, noting that many had hoped the increment would help alleviate financial pressures during their service year.
However, NYSC has assured that once the necessary funds are received, arrears for the months since the new allowance was approved will be paid in full.
This means that corps members will receive a lump sum covering the difference between the old and new allowances for the months of July, August, and September 2024.
This development has sparked discussions about the importance of timely disbursement of allowances to support young graduates who are often financially dependent on the monthly stipend during their mandatory national service year.
As the NYSC continues to await the release of the funds, the organization has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that corps members are fairly compensated for their service, in line with the Federal Government's minimum wage adjustment.
For now, corps members are advised to remain patient as the payment processes are finalized.
The NYSC continues to work closely with government agencies to ensure that the promised increase is implemented as soon as possible.
While no exact date has been provided, corps members can expect their allowances to be updated once the government completes the necessary arrangements for fund release.
This increase comes after the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, which raised the minimum wage and resulted in adjustments to various sectors, including the NYSC.
However, as is often the case with such large-scale policy changes, there are administrative processes that need to be followed before the new wage structure can be fully implemented across the board.
In the meantime, the NYSC continues to provide strategic guidance and support to corps members, while calling on the Federal Government to expedite the release of funds to fulfill its commitment to the nation's youth.
For further updates, corps members are encouraged to follow official channels and stay informed on developments regarding the payment of their allowances.