The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to paying the backlog of the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), despite months of delay.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made this assurance while speaking on a national television program monitored in Lagos. He also dismissed reports suggesting that a Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, was facing disciplinary action for criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on social media.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate, but it will happen. The NYSC Director-General has assured that those who are passing out will still receive their payments because their details are on record,” Olawande stated.
The government had announced the increase in Corps members’ allowance from N33,000 to N77,000 in September 2024, following the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act. However, six months later, the new pay is yet to be disbursed.
Last week, NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu assured Corps members that payments would commence this month. Olawande corroborated this, explaining that administrative and budgetary processes had delayed the implementation.
“I’ve explained this several times. Some people say I always say, ‘It is a process.’ But it truly is. When the President announced the increase, it was not yet included in the budget, and salary payments for agencies must go through a formal budgeting process,” he clarified.
He confirmed that all necessary approvals had now been obtained. “The budgetary allocation has been done. The process is complete, and payments can now begin,” he assured.
On the issue of Uguamaye, Olawande dismissed allegations that she was being sanctioned for her social media remarks.
“The girl (Uguamaye) has not been threatened. No panel has been set up against her, and she is not facing any disciplinary action,” he stated, adding that all Nigerians have the right to free speech.
The Minister emphasized that criticism of government policies is not unusual and should not be a cause for fear. “If an individual is not comfortable with something, they should not be afraid to speak up,” he said.
Corps members across the country will now await the fulfillment of the government’s promise as the NYSC leadership begins processing payments.
