Newsbreak: NYSC begins payment of N44k arrears to members

By Samuel Ogunsona

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced payment of arrears for the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance to both serving and recently discharged corps members.

According to the NYSC Director-General,
Brigadier General Abdulaziz Aliyu, the payment marks the fulfillment of the Federal Government’s commitment to align corps members’ stipends with the new national minimum wage.

A corps member, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed relief in a chat with Irohinoodua.

He said:”Receiving the arrears is a huge weight off our shoulders.

It shows that our efforts are recognized and valued.” Another corps member, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We were struggling to make ends meet with the old stipend. This payment is a welcome development.”

The arrears cover the period from July 2024 to March 2025, when payments of the new allowance began. The delay in implementing the N77,000 allowance had sparked discontent among corps members.

Minister of Youth Development, Senator Monday Okpebholo, acknowledged the delays were due to budgetary and administrative processes but emphasized that the government was working diligently to resolve them.

“The approvals are in place, and the payments are happening. Both current and outgone corps members will get their dues,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Aliyu reassured corps members that the government is fully committed to clearing the backlog, saying, “We have the bank details of recently passed-out corps members, and they will benefit from the arrears payment.”