The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded an investigation into the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over the non-payment of the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members.
Expressing disappointment, NANS noted that despite the Federal Government’s approval months ago, the NYSC has yet to implement the new payment structure.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja, NANS National Vice President, Inter-Campus Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, recalled that the Federal Government had announced an increase in corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, effective July 2024.
However, NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed, attributed the delay to the non-release of necessary funds.
In a statement, Akinbodunse justified the call for an inquiry, pointing out that the NYSC had promised corps members would begin receiving the N77,000 allowance by the end of February. Instead, findings from her office indicated that corps members received only N33,000 for February, contrary to the NYSC DG’s announcement that they would receive N70,000.
She emphasized that both the Federal Government and several state governments have already implemented the new minimum wage of N70,000 for their workers, leaving no justification for the NYSC’s delay in disbursing the approved funds.
Describing the situation as a gross injustice, Akinbodunse urged the NYSC to clarify the reasons behind the delay and called on the Federal Government to launch an investigation into the matter.
She warned that withholding the approved allowance could negatively impact corps members’ morale, especially amid the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
The NANS Vice President further stated that the student body’s leadership would engage with the NYSC to understand why corps members have not yet received the increased allowance, despite NYSC staff benefiting from the Federal Government’s revised pay structure.
