The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has criticized the Federal Government over the delay in implementing the promised increase in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowances from N33,000 to N77,000.
Despite assurances given over seven months ago, corps members are yet to receive the new payment structure, raising concerns among students and graduates who rely on the stipend to sustain themselves during their service year.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Campus Monitoring Committee in Osun State, Comr. Olayinka Popoola, NAUS urged the government to take immediate action to ensure that the new allowance is paid this month. The association emphasized that the NYSC program, established in 1973, plays a crucial role in fostering national unity and enabling young graduates to contribute to society through education, healthcare, and agriculture, often in challenging environments with limited resources.
NAUS stressed that the allowance increase is not just a financial adjustment but a recognition of the vital role corps members play and the rising cost of living in Nigeria. The delay, according to the statement, is not just a bureaucratic lapse but a disservice to the country’s young leaders working toward national development.
With the recent appointment of a new NYSC Director-General, NAUS sees an opportunity for the government to resolve the issue swiftly. The association called on authorities to prioritize the disbursement of the funds before the end of the first quarter, urging the administration to restore the confidence of Nigerian youths in the government by fulfilling its commitment.
Reaffirming its readiness to collaborate with the government, NAUS emphasized the need for urgent intervention to ensure corps members receive their rightful entitlements without further delay.
