Corps Members Call Out FG Over Delayed Implementation of N77K Allowance Increment

Corps members have criticised the federal government (FG) over the continuous delay of the implementation of the proposed allowance amid economic hardship facing the country.

For some days, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was all over the internet making headlines.

Ushie Uguamaye, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, in a video last week criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the economic hardship resulting from inflation and non-implementation of their allowance increase via her TikTok page.

In the video, she stated the effect of the economy on her as a corps member and lamented that the financial strain has dragged her into a depressed state.

The corps member further described Tinubu as “a terrible leader” and urged him to intervene in the suffering of Nigerians and added that Lagos State, where she serves, “smells” of poor living conditions.

She had since claimed her life was in danger since the release of the video.

She wrote on her social media, “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. In less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board. 

“Dear Nigerians, they have my address. In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong I just asked that they work on the inflation.

“Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up my right to complain.”

“Why can’t the government listen to the critics of its citizens? They believe they have a chain on me, which is NYSC,  and they are using it to hold me. #officialasiwajubat I didn’t do anything wrong. I criticised your government and I demand that we are being heard.”

The federal government had in September 2024 approved the increase of the monthly allowance for NYSC members from N33,000 to N77,000.

A statement by the acting director press and public relations unit of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, stated that the development was in line with the enactment of the national minimum wage (amendment) act 2024.

However, as of March 17, 2025, NYSC corps members are still receiving the old allowance of N33,00, despite the approval of a new minimum wage of 77,000 Naira, which was approved in September 2024. 

Corps members berated FG’s non-implementation of allowance increase

NYSC members serving in the country expressed their grievances over the non-payment of the increment.

Corps members are feeling the pinch of the delay, citing the high cost of living and the difficulties of making ends meet with their current allowance

One of the corps members in Lagos, who preferred to be anonymous said, “We’re finding it difficult to cope with the high cost of living. The current allowance is barely enough to cover our expenses, and the delay in implementing the increment is making things even harder.”

Another corps member serving in Enugu state, identified only as Nneka, expressed similar sentiments. “I spend an average of N1,500/N2,000 on a one-way trip to town. The new increment won’t change the situation drastically, but it’ll go a long way in helping us make ends meet.”

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” says Chika, a corps member serving in Kogi State.

“We’ve been hearing promises of an increment for months, but nothing has been done. It’s like they’re not taking us seriously.” 

Emma, a corps member serving in Rivers state, added that the “delay is affecting our morale. We’re supposed to be serving the country, but it feels like the country is not serving us. We need this increment to survive.”

Struggles 

Additionally, a corps member serving in Ogun State, who requested anonymity, admitted that she, too, was struggling with the high cost of living.  

She affirmed Uguamaye’s stance, emphasizing that the ₦33,000 allowance was barely sufficient to meet basic needs, let alone sustain a decent standard of living.  

Condemning the threat directed at Uguamaye by her Local Government Inspector (LGI), the corps member stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and that no one should face intimidation for speaking out against economic hardship.

“I haven’t been directly threatened, but the fear of backlash often makes people hesitate to speak their truth. The government must acknowledge the realities corps members face and review their allowance to reflect the current economic situation.

“The threats against her should be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable. Corps members should feel safe to express their concerns without fear of intimidation,” she added.

Another corps member serving in Oyo State criticized the NYSC’s handling of the issue, arguing that the scheme should provide an avenue for serving corps members to give feedback.  

The corps member, who withheld his name for fear of facing the same challenges as Uguamaye, emphasized that in the absence of such platforms, corps members have no choice but to voice their grievances about the high cost of living caused by inflation in Nigeria.

“The scheme should look inward, seek feedback from members, and take necessary action. My transportation fare to and from my PPA is ₦600. I work from Monday to Friday and spend almost the same amount on transportation for CDS. In total, I spend about ₦5,000 on transportation weekly.

The school pays me ₦13,000 monthly, which is almost the same as my transportation costs. Yet, the government stipend, known as ‘allawee,’ can’t even buy foodstuffs that will last a month,” he said.

Furthermore, he advocated for the restructuring of the NYSC and called for the abolition of the bylaw that prohibits corps members from voicing their grievances.

The corps member added, “In January, the former NYSC DG confirmed that the government had approved an increase in the allowance to ₦77,000. However, as of now, nothing has changed—we still receive the same ₦33,000 despite rising inflation and the soaring prices of foodstuffs and other commodities.”

“Yet, no corps member can openly speak about this. The law is designed to silence us and deny us our right to good governance and accountability. My position is that the law should be scrapped, and there should be a comprehensive reform.”

Meanwhile, since the establishment of the NYSC in 1973, allowance paid to corps members has been increased eight times. The average amount of this is N17,904.38.

The increment timeline read, “1973 – 1980 = N60; 1981 – 1988 = N100; 1989 – 1998 = N200; 1999 – 2007 = N3,500; 2008 – 2010 = N9,775; 2011 – 2018 = N19,800; 2019 – 2024 = N33,000 and 2024 – present = N77,000 (proposed).”

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