‘Pay Our N77,000’ – Corps Members Drag FG Online
2 min read
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have taken to social media to express their frustrations with the Federal Government over the delayed implementation of the newly promised N77,000 monthly allowance.
The allowance was approved in July 2024, as part of the new national minimum wage adjustments, but corps members are still receiving the old rate of N33,000.
The decision to increase the allowance came after the expiration of the previous wage structure, but despite the approval, many corps members have voiced their concerns online.
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They argue that the old N33,000 is no longer sufficient to cover basic living expenses, especially with the rise in transportation and daily costs.
Tweets from disgruntled corps members highlight their struggles:
“Three months after, the Federal Government still believes that N33k is enough for NYSC members to survive,” tweeted @NoorAjuwon.
“How can we even concentrate on our primary assignment with N33k in this current economic situation?” questioned @Arbdoolbasid_Jr.
“High transportation costs: I spend N5,000 on transportation and N2,000 on CDS contributions, leaving me with just N26,000 from the N33,000 allowance,” explained @Eze_na_ujari.
Other complaints include poor living conditions in NYSC lodges, such as dilapidated bathrooms, lack of food, and overcrowded accommodations, with some calling the situation “suffering and wickedness.” One post even appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu, saying, “See us as your children too. We’re dying.”
The Federal Government had approved the increase in allowance as part of the broader national minimum wage reforms, but according to reports, the delay in payment is due to financial constraints. The government is yet to release the necessary funds for the implementation, leaving corps members in limbo.
Despite the ongoing hardship, the NYSC has reassured corps members that efforts are underway to address the delay, but no specific timeline for the release of the new allowance has been given.
