National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are calling on the Federal Government to fulfill its promise of increasing their monthly allowance to N77,000. This demand comes as they face mounting economic hardships, exacerbated by rising living costs.
Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveal that corps members took to social media on Wednesday to voice their frustrations. Despite the government’s approval of the new allowance in July 2024, many are still receiving the outdated stipend of N33,000.
“This old N30,000 allowance is no longer sustainable due to high transportation, feeding, and NYSC contribution costs,” the corps members lamented online.
Reactions flooded in on Twitter, with users expressing their discontent. One user, @NoorAjuwon, tweeted, “3 months after, the Federal Government still believes that N33k is enough for NYSC members to survive.” Another corps member, @Arbdoolbasid_Jr, raised concerns about the impact of the low allowance, asking, “How can we even concentrate on our primary assignment with N33k in this current economic situation?”
The financial strain is palpable, as another tweet from @Eze_na_ujari illustrated: “High transportation costs: I spend N5,000 on transportation and N2,000 on Community Development Service (CDS) contributions, leaving me with N26,000 from the N33,000 allowance.”
Living conditions have also come under scrutiny, with @blazzin_225 describing the situation as “suffering and wickedness” due to the state of NYSC lodges, which suffer from dilapidated bathrooms and toilets, coupled with inadequate food supplies.
In a heartfelt message directed at the government, another user urged, “See us as your children too. We’re dying,” referencing the urgency of their situation.
NAN emphasizes that the corps members are not only seeking the implementation of the N77,000 allowance but also improvements in their living conditions to enhance their well-being and productivity during their national service. As it stands, the promised increase remains unfulfilled, leaving many in a precarious position as they strive to serve their country.
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