The Federal government has announced a substantial increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, raising it from N33,000 to N77,000 effective July 2024.
This decision was confirmed in a statement on the NYSC’s official X page, signed by Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
According to a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25 and signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta, the increase aligns with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
The statement also highlighted that this adjustment came after an advocacy visit by NYSC Director General Yusha’u Ahmed to the Commission.
The new allowance marks the first increase in five years, following a rise from N19,800 to N33,000.
The recent amendment was part of a broader adjustment to the National Minimum Wage, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law in July 2024 after extensive negotiations between the government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The unions had previously launched an indefinite strike to pressure the government for a new minimum wage, which ultimately resulted in the National Minimum Wage increasing from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 following its passage by the National Assembly.
With the new NYSC allowance set to take effect in July, corps members will receive an additional N44,000 per month, retroactive to that date.
This increase is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to corps members amidst rising living costs and inflation in the country.