Corps Members Await Backlog of Delayed ₦77,000 Allowance Amid Government Promises
After months of unfulfilled promises, the Federal Government has once again assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that they will receive the backlog of their delayed ₦77,000 monthly allowance. However, skepticism remains high as the government has repeatedly failed to implement the increment announced in September 2024.
A Promise Yet to Be Fulfilled
The Federal Government increased the corps members’ allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. However, six months later, the implementation has yet to materialize, despite numerous assurances.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reiterated the government’s commitment to paying the backlog to both serving corps members and those who were in the scheme at the time of the announcement.
“You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” Olawande stated.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen,” he added, offering yet another assurance without a definitive timeline.
Repeated Delays and Bureaucratic Roadblocks
The delay has been attributed to budgetary constraints, with the minister explaining that the allowance increment was not initially included in the budget when the president announced it. According to Olawande, government processes require financial allocations before salaries can be disbursed, which led to the prolonged delay.
“I’ve explained this several times. Some people said I always say ‘It is a process. It is a process.’ But it’s seriously a process. It’s a government line. You cannot do a corner piece to do it. It was not in the budget when the president announced it, and for some agencies and parastatals, you need your salary to be in the budget before it is paid,” Olawande said.
“Before anybody can approve anything, you must have a budgetary allocation for it. But the budgetary allocation has been done now. We are done with the process and it has been approved. It has been signed, and now they can start paying it.”
While the approval of budgetary allocation may seem like progress, the repeated postponements raise concerns about the government’s sincerity and efficiency in handling the issue.
A Pattern of Unkept Promises
The NYSC allowance increment was met with excitement when first announced, but the delay has only fueled frustration among corps members who rely on their stipends for daily sustenance. Many have expressed doubt about the government’s commitment, considering past unfulfilled assurances.
Last week, NYSC Director-General Olakunle Nafiu assured corps members that the new allowance would be implemented in March 2025. However, with March drawing to a close, no concrete steps have been taken to fulfill that promise.
The government’s handling of the NYSC allowance issue raises broader concerns about policy implementation in Nigeria. If an official salary increase can take over six months without execution, what does this say about the government’s ability to manage other critical sectors efficiently?
Words or Action?
While the Federal Government maintains that corps members will eventually receive their payments, the prolonged delay suggests a deeper issue within Nigeria’s bureaucratic and financial management systems. If the new allowance was truly a priority, why was it announced without proper budgetary planning? Why has it taken over half a year to begin implementation?
For corps members who have been left waiting, the question remains: Will this promise finally be fulfilled, or is it just another political statement designed to placate growing frustration?
Reference
Corps Members Await Backlog of Delayed ₦77,000 Allowance Amid Government Promises