Federal Government Approves ₦77,000 Monthly Allowance for Corps Members: Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will now get a monthly allowance of ₦77,000 thanks to approval from the federal government. After the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 was passed, raising the minimum wage for workers nationwide, this new payment will take effect in July 2024.
The NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, announced the announcement on Wednesday in a statement. She clarified that a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission served as confirmation of the judgment. The Chairman of the Commission, Ekpo Nta, signed the letter, which was dated September 25, 2024.
Advocacy Visit by NYSC Director General
Brigadier General YD Ahmed, the Director General of the NYSC, had visited the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission before this increase got approved. He asked for an improved welfare package for corps members during this visit. In order to assist corps members in managing the growing expense of living and inspire them to serve the country more successfully, he requested an increase in the allowance.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed thanked the government for its approval, stating that the increased allowance will relieve corps members and motivate them to do a better job in their respective positions.
Previous Increases and New Minimum Wage
The monthly salary for corps members was ₦33,000 before this new increase. This sum was decided upon in 2020 following the ₦30,000 increase in the minimum wage. The government’s 2019 decision to raise the national minimum wage for workers led to the earlier increase in the allowances paid to corps members.
The revised Minimum wages Bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, increasing the minimum salary for workers from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The recent increase in the monthly allowance for corps members to ₦77,000 was made possible by this new law. The government’s move has been seen as a component of its effort to raise the standard of living for Nigerian employees in the public and private sectors.
Impact on Corps Members
The Federal Government believes that by providing this new payment, many corps members won’t have to struggle financially throughout their year of national service. It is anticipated that the increase will assist them in meeting their living expenses, particularly in light of the high cost of necessities and growing inflation.
Owing to the growing expense of living in the nation, some corps members have been requesting an increase in their budget. Particularly for those serving in more costly locations like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, the ₦33,000 they were previously getting was really insufficient.
NYSC’s Response to the New Allowance
The Director General of the NYSC expressed his optimism that the enhanced stipend will not only provide much-needed respite to corps members but also inspire them to do their jobs with more dedication. The NYSC has applauded the government’s decision.
NYSC spokeswoman Caroline Embu said in a statement, “The NYSC head is appreciative of the Federal Government for its prompt action. We think corps members will feel a great sense of relief from this and be inspired to better serve the country.”
A Step Towards Better Welfare
The government’s continuous efforts to enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers are shown in this most recent increase in the allowance for corps members. It also acknowledges the crucial part that youth corps participants play in fostering nation-building. Corps members make a substantial contribution to the development of the nation through their work in a variety of fields, such as healthcare, education, and rural development.
The government’s decision to raise their wages coincides with a period of economic hardship for many Nigerians. It is hoped that by providing an enhanced welfare package, more young Nigerians will be encouraged to actively participate in the NYSC program and some of their financial responsibilities will be reduced.
Now corps members will receive stronger financial support while they continue to serve the country in diverse roles, thanks to the increased allowance of ₦77,000, which is scheduled to take effect in July 2024. The ratification of this increase by the Federal Government is a step in the right direction towards making sure that corps members receive fair compensation for the work they do during their year of national service.