By Parrot Newspaper 
Corpers Lash Out at FG Over Unpaid N77k Allowance
By Ricky Awodi
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the approved N77,000 monthly allowance, despite previous assurances.
The government had announced the increment from N33,000 to N77,000 in July 2024, citing the rising cost of living. However, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, later attributed delays to the non-release of funds. In a subsequent statement, he assured that the payment would commence in February 2025.
Despite this promise, corps members nationwide confirmed that they received only N33,000 for February, fueling concerns over the government’s commitment to its pledge.
Corps Members Lament Hardship
A corps member in Abia State, speaking anonymously due to NYSC’s media restrictions, decried the hardship caused by the delay.
> “The N33,000 is not enough. Our Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) do not provide accommodation, and we have to cater for ourselves in a tough economy. Feeding, transportation, and basic survival are almost impossible on this amount. Some PPAs pay as little as N4,000, which means we barely get N37,000 in total. It’s frustrating.”
Similarly, a corps member in Osun State expressed discontent, revealing that she spends over N70,000 monthly, with transportation alone costing more than N12,000.
> “I had to call my mother for financial support. This allowance is simply not enough to survive on.”
A Lagos-based corps member also lamented the unfulfilled promises, stating,
> “There is so much hardship in the country, yet they expect us to survive on N33,000. They keep promising N77,000, but we have seen nothing.”
NYSC Silent on Payment Delay
Efforts to get an official response from NYSC officials have been met with silence. The scheme’s Director of Communication, Carol Embu, did not respond to calls or messages. However, a senior NYSC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the increased allowance had yet to be paid.
> “We are yet to start payment for the new allowance,” the source admitted.
The ongoing delay has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among corps members, many of whom say they are struggling to cope with the economic realities of the country. With the government remaining silent on the exact timeline for implementation, corps members continue to bear the brunt of the broken promises.