Pie in the sky
For members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, adjustment in their monthly allowance to reflect inflationary trends in the economy that necessitated a new national minimum wage remains
For members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, adjustment in their monthly allowance to reflect inflationary trends in the economy that necessitated a new national minimum wage remains a pie in the sky. Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Yush’au Ahmed, last week assured that proposed increase of the allowance to N77,000 would soon be implemented. Only he did not commit to a date for that implementation.
The Federal Government had in September 2024 approved a raise in corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, with retroactive effect from July 2024. This was pursuant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N70,000 as the new national minimum wage that July, subject to review every three years. Despite hyper-inflationary pressures, payment of the proposed increase in NYSC allowance is yet to begin, creating concern among corps members and their relations.
Brigadier-General Ahmed made known that arrangements to effect the pay increase had been concluded and corps members could rest assured they would get all the benefits they’re entitled to this year. Speaking in Abuja when he commissioned a staff bus donated by Capital Express Insurance Ltd. to NYSC, he told journalists: “Yes, they have not yet started receiving the increase in their allowance. But I tell you, all arrangements have already been concluded.” He added: “Hopefully, very soon, they will see it. I don’t just want to mention when because I believe we are almost there. Corps members will laugh very soon, that I assure you.”
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The D-G reaffirmed government’s commitment to the welfare of corps members, noting that the first item on his own policy template as well is their security and welfare. The scheme, according to him, has always been responsive to the needs of its staff and corps members, taking their wellbeing and safety seriously. It was in that regard, he said, that the bus being commissioned was donated in response to a request for increase in the number of welfare buses for staff and corps members’ use.
Promises are heart-warming, but they never equate to concrete actions with expectant beneficiaries. Following confirmation of the proposed pay raise by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in September, last year, Brigadier-Gen. Ahmed in October blamed delay in implementation on non-release of funds to the scheme. If funds have now been released, further bureaucratic delay in corps members receiving the new allowance in their accounts is unjustifiable because inflation hasn’t held back on surging – subjecting corps members, like many other Nigerians, to harsh living conditions. The earliest that hardship is relieved through concrete action on pay increase, the better, because promises do not have the same effect. It is expected that implementation will factor in the outstanding arrears as government policy provides, and further delay makes those arrears unwieldy.
•This article was first published on January 17, 2026
