NYSC to Spend N307.6bn on Corps Members’ Allowances Amid Delayed Payment Implementation
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to spend a staggering N307.6 billion on the mobilisation and payment of allowances to corps members, following the recent increment in their monthly stipends from N33,000 to N77,000. However, months after the announcement, the implementation of the payment remains uncertain, raising concerns about the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
Budgetary Breakdown and Projections
The increase in corps members’ allowances was a direct consequence of the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law in May 2024. The NYSC typically mobilises between 1,200 and 1,500 corps members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory per orientation camp. Mobilisation occurs in three batches annually—A, B, and C—leading to an estimated 333,000 corps members deployed nationwide each year.
At the new allowance rate, each batch of corps members will receive approximately N25.64 billion in total allowances, culminating in an annual expenditure of N307.6 billion. This significant budget allocation underscores the financial weight of sustaining the NYSC scheme under the new wage structure.
2025 Budget Allocation and Implementation Delays
In the 2025 budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly in December 2024, the Federal Government allocated N430.7 billion to the NYSC, marking the highest budgetary provision for the scheme in the past five years. Of this, N372.9 billion—representing 86.5% of the total allocation—was specifically earmarked for corps members’ allowances.
Despite this financial planning, the implementation of the new allowance structure has suffered setbacks. Five months after the initial announcement on September 25, 2024, corps members are yet to receive the promised N77,000. The failure to commence payments in February 2025 has sparked frustration among corps members, with many questioning the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Official Responses and Uncertainty
In response to inquiries about the delay, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, cited the lack of cash backing as the primary reason for the non-implementation. “The cash backing is still being awaited,” she stated briefly, offering little clarity on when the funds will be available.
Further compounding the uncertainty, a WhatsApp message purportedly from the newly appointed Director-General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, suggested that payments would commence in March. However, official verification remains elusive, as attempts to reach the NYSC spokesperson for further clarification were unsuccessful.
The Bigger Picture
The delay in implementing the new allowance raises critical concerns about financial management within the NYSC and the government’s broader fiscal responsibility. If the funds were indeed allocated as stated in the budget, why has the payment process stalled? The lack of transparency and communication from officials only fuels speculation and mistrust among corps members and stakeholders alike.
As the government grapples with economic challenges, the fate of the new corps members’ allowance hangs in the balance. Whether the promised payment will materialize in March, as suggested, remains to be seen. Until then, the delay continues to cast doubt on the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding its obligations to young Nigerians undergoing national service.
Reference
NYSC to Spend N307.6bn on Corps Members’ Allowances Amid Delayed Payment Implementation