The Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective July 2024.
This development follows the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, stipulating a minimum wage of N70,000.
According to Caroline Embu, NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, the approval was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission dated September 25, 2024, and signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta. This increase brings much-needed relief to corps members, who had been receiving a monthly allowance of N33,000 since 2019, following an upward review of the minimum wage to N30,000.
Prior to the approval, speculations had surrounded the increase in corps members’ pay, with the NYSC management emphasizing that any adjustment would require Federal Government approval. Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, NYSC Director-General, had paid an advocacy visit to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission Chairman, soliciting a robust welfare package for corps members.
The NYSC Director-General has expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the timely gesture, noting it will boost corps members’ morale and motivate them to serve the nation.
