The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N44,000 in arrears to former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, marking a significant step in the implementation of the revised national minimum wage. The payments are being made to corps members who completed their service before the rollout of the new N77,000 monthly allowance earlier in 2025.
Beneficiaries across the country have confirmed receipt of the payment via social media, with many sharing credit alerts and expressing relief after months of delay.
The adjustment stems from the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, which raised the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. Consequently, the NYSC monthly allowance was increased from N33,000 to N77,000 as communicated in a letter dated September 25, 2024, from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Despite the approval in 2024, the implementation of the new NYSC allowance only began in March 2025—six months later. According to the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, budgetary constraints and administrative delays were responsible for the lag. At the time the increase was approved, the necessary funds had not yet been allocated, pushing the rollout forward to the new fiscal year.
The current disbursement of N44,000 represents arrears owed to corps members for the eight-month gap between July 2024 and February 2025, when the new allowance had not yet been paid. The Federal Government had earlier promised to clear this backlog, and the current payments reflect the fulfilment of that commitment.
In the 2025 budget, N29.54 billion was earmarked for the NYSC to cover essential corps member needs such as kits, transportation, and feeding. The allocation also included provisions for honorarium, camp publicity, sports, and facility improvements under the Ministry of Youth Development.
In addition to financial improvements, the government has introduced structural reforms to the NYSC scheme. Plans are underway to establish specialized service arms focused on the education and healthcare sectors. This initiative aims to deploy corps members to rural communities where critical gaps in service delivery persist, especially in schools and primary healthcare centres.
A reform committee has also been proposed to modernize the NYSC. The committee will evaluate current policies, consult key stakeholders, and recommend updates to align the programme with Nigeria’s evolving socio-economic realities.
The ongoing payments and reform efforts signal a renewed government commitment to improving the welfare of corps members and strengthening the role of the NYSC in national development.
