Corps members across Nigeria receive overdue allowance payments Wednesday, ending financial uncertainty for thousands of youth.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Youth Service Corps finally paid outstanding allowance arrears to corps members Wednesday after a frustrating two-month suspension. The ₦77,000 monthly allowance disbursement marks the first payment since June 3, 2025.
What Corps Members Are Actually Getting
The arrears cover what appears to be a substantial period, July 2024 to March 2025. Nine months of delayed payments are now trickling into corps members’ bank accounts.
Many youth had honestly given up hope after the extended silence. Then payment alerts started popping up on phones Wednesday morning across all 36 states and the FCT. You can imagine the relief.
The new ₦77,000 allowance is more than double the previous ₦33,000 monthly stipend. While this increase supposedly aligns with Nigeria’s updated minimum wage policy, it’s worth noting that implementation has been painfully slow since the 2024 announcement.
Director-General’s Promise, Better Late Than Never
NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu had assured corps members back in April during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop that payments would resume once federal funding arrived.
“Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details,” Nafiu stated at the Abuja workshop.
His promise turned out to be accurate, though it took longer than anyone expected. Former corps members who completed service during the payment gap are also receiving their outstanding allowances, which is something, at least.
Real Financial Hardship for Many
The payment suspension created genuine hardship, especially for those serving in remote locations where side hustles are basically non-existent.
A former corps member told PUNCH: “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.”
Social media quickly filled with confirmation posts as corps members shared screenshots of payment alerts. The relief seems particularly intense for those who had to borrow money or lean heavily on family support during what one person called “the payment drought.”
Rural postings often offer fewer income opportunities compared to urban centers, that’s just reality. Corps members in places like remote villages in Kebbi or Bayelsa struggled to cover even basic living expenses without their monthly allowance.
Will Administrative Changes Actually Help?
The NYSC claims it has upgraded payment tracking systems to avoid similar disruptions. They maintain detailed banking information for all corps members, including those who’ve completed service.
These database improvements supposedly ensure that eligible youth receive full entitlements regardless of their current status. Payment verification processes have also been streamlined to reduce what they call “administrative bottlenecks.”
Federal budget allocations for youth development programs now apparently prioritize NYSC allowances. This might suggest future payment delays could become less common, though skepticism may be warranted given past performance.
Government Commitment – Words vs. Actions
The resumed payments could demonstrate federal commitment to supporting Nigerian youth during their mandatory service year. Corps members do serve in education, healthcare, and community development roles across the country.
The allowance increase reflects what appears to be broader government efforts to improve youth welfare. Whether this ensures service year participants can actually focus on their assignments without financial stress remains to be seen.
NYSC leadership has promised regular payment schedules moving forward. This commitment aims to restore confidence among current and prospective corps members, though trust may take time to rebuild.
The organization does serve as a bridge between university education and career development for Nigerian graduates. Reliable allowance payments would help ensure this transition period stays productive rather than becoming financially burdensome, assuming the payments actually stay reliable this time.
Culled:PUNCH
