Amid high hopes following the federal government’s pledge to increase the monthly stipend to ₦77,000, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were left shocked and disappointed as their February 2025 payments remained at the previous ₦33,000. The unfulfilled promise of an increased monthly allowance has ignited a wave of frustration and discontent among corps members across the country. The hope for the long-awaited increment was ignited in January when the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, publicly announced that corps members would start receiving ₦77,000 from February.
Earlier in January, the Brigadier General had informed corps members that the increase had been included in the government budget for 2025 and would be implemented in February. The announcement followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a new national Minimum Wage of ₦70,000 in 2024—a decision seen as a measure to cushion the mounting cost of living. For corps members, many of whom are deployed far from their homes and families, the potential increase of their allowance was more than simply a promise, but an essential lifeline.
Unmet promises leave corps members disappointed.
However, the promise turned out to be another letdown as corps members nationwide received the same ₦33,000 allowance by the end of February. Corps members were left to deal with the unpleasant realities of living on ₦33,000 in a nation where Inflation is still on the rise. Some corps members have expressed their disappointment over the delay in fulfilling the promise, especially after experiencing a slight delay in their January stipends, which had raised expectations that the new payment structure would take effect.
There is a noticeable sense of dissatisfaction as many corps members took to Social Media platforms, especially X, to express their frustration. A user on X stated that “The treatment of NYSC corps members in this country is deeply concerning. How can they be expected to survive on just ₦33,000 per month, especially after being separated from their families, friends, and communities? Given the rising cost of living, this amount is barely enough to cover basic needs, and it often does not last beyond two weeks.”
Government’s silence fuels corps members’ frustration.
Speaking to our correspondent, a corps member who just completed the orientation camp with the high expectation of making the first payment of ₦77,000 lamented that the ₦33,000 stipend is woefully insufficient to cover necessities like food, lodging, and transportation due to the growing cost of life. While attempting to manage the challenging economic situation, many corps members who are deployed far from home experience subpar living conditions and financial burdens. The financial burden on corps members, many of whom depend entirely on the stipend for their everyday life, has increased as a result of the new allowance’s delayed introduction.
With Food Prices skyrocketing and transportation costs at an all-time high, the ₦33,000 monthly payment is barely enough to cover basic needs, leaving many corps members in desperate situations. What makes the situation more frustrating is the government’s silence on the matter. Neither the NYSC management nor the federal government has offered any explanation for the delay, deepening the sense of betrayal among corps members. The absence of transparency has fueled further resentment, with many questioning whether the promise was ever genuine or simply a political ploy.
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Corps members are still demanding answers as months goes by with no sight of the ₦77,000 increase. The delay not only erodes public confidence in the administration but also draws attention to the larger problem of Nigerian governance’s unfulfilled promises. With numerous corps members urging authorities to put their Welfare first while they serve the country in challenging circumstances, the cry for the government to keep its promise is becoming louder. Given the growing public outrage and the worsening economic conditions, the federal government’s response—or lack thereof—may have long-term effects on the administration’s legitimacy and the spirits of the nation’s recent graduates dedicating a year to national service.