The Federal Government has officially increased the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024. This new development follows the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
The announcement was made in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, on September 25, 2024. Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for the NYSC, confirmed the news via the NYSC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“This increment, effective from July 2024, is in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024,” the statement read.
The increase comes after a successful advocacy visit by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, to the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission. He expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government, highlighting that the allowance boost would offer “much-needed relief” to Corps Members and enhance their morale.
This marks the first significant raise in five years, following the last adjustment in 2019 when the allowance was increased to ₦33,000. The new increment adds an additional ₦44,000 per month, raising the total monthly allowance to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024. Corps Members can also expect retroactive payments covering any outstanding arrears from July.
The increase is aimed at alleviating financial pressures on Corps Members, helping them manage the rising cost of living amid inflationary pressures.
This allowance hike is part of broader changes following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s successful negotiations with the Federal Government. President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Act into law in July 2024, raising the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The new law also shortened the review period for wage adjustments from five years to three.
While some states have yet to implement the new minimum wage, it is expected that more states will follow in the coming months.
This increase is seen as a critical step toward improving the welfare of NYSC members as they continue to contribute meaningfully to national development.
