The National Youth Service Corps is projected to spend approximately N307.6 billion on the mobilisation and payment of allowances to corps members, following an increase in their monthly stipend from N33,000 to N77,000.
The new allowance, announced by the NYSC in September 2024, was based on the implementation of the new minimum wage signed into law in May 2024.
On average, the NYSC mobilises between 1,200 and 1,500 corps members across its orientation camps in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Mobilisation occurs in three batches annually—A, B, and C—bringing the total number of corps members in a year to an estimated 333,000.
With the increased N77,000 monthly stipend, the total payout for one batch is expected to reach N25.64 billion, amounting to N307.6 billion annually.
In the 2025 budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024, the Federal Government allocated N430.7 billion to the NYSC—the highest in five years. Of this, N372.9 billion, representing 86.5 percent, was earmarked for corps members’ allowances.
However, five months after the allowance increment was announced, the Federal Government is yet to implement the new payment structure.
Following the failure to implement the payments in February, the acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, explained that the NYSC was still awaiting the necessary cash backing.
“The cash backing is still being awaited,” she stated.
Meanwhile, a WhatsApp message attributed to the newly appointed Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, reportedly assured corps members that the payments would commence in March.
Efforts to reach the NYSC spokesperson for further clarification were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
