The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday promised to pay the backlog of the new 77 thousand Naira monthly allowance, to members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, after several months of delay.
Information obtained by 9News Nigeria reveals that the Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande gave this assurance while briefing reporters.
9News Nigeria reports that part of the statement revealed by the minister said; “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” the minister said.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen,” Olawande assured.
9News Nigeria recalls that The Federal Government increased corps members’ allowance from 33 thousand Naira to 77 thousand Naira in September 2024.
Despite repeated promises and backlash since the increment, the new rate is yet to be implemented.
However, serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 will receive a backdated payment.
The credible online news platform also recall that last week, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu asked corps members to expect the implementation of the new allowance in March, a move Olawande corroborated during the show.
“It will happen,” the minister said when asked if the corps members would start getting now-delayed allowance from this month.
According to the minister, the delay in the implementation of the new NYSC members’ allowance is due to budgetary issues.
“I’ve explained this several times. Some people said, I always say ‘It is a process. It is a process.’ But it’s seriously a process. It’s a government line. You cannot do a corner piece to do it. It was not in the budget when the president announced it, and for some agencies and parastatals, you need your salary to be in the budget before it is paid,” the youth development minister said.
“Before anybody can approve anything, you must have a budgetary allocation for it. But the budgetary allocation has been done now. We are done with the process and it has been approved. It has been signed, and now they can start paying it.”
