The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has started paying arrears to corps members following the recent increase in their monthly allowance to N77,000.
NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu confirmed the payments are being processed in batches. This development follows the Federal Government’s promise to align corps members’ stipends with the new national minimum wage, as announced by President Bola Tinubu in September 2024.
Although the new rate was officially implemented in March 2025, many corps members continued receiving the old N33,000 allowance, leading to months of frustration. The arrears cover July 2024 to March 2025, and both serving and recently discharged corps members are eligible.
“This is a game-changer,” said Adebola Yusuf, a corps member in Osun State. “Finally receiving the arrears shows our efforts are being recognized.”
At the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Brig. Gen. Nafiu assured corps members that the government would complete all payments, including for those who have already passed out.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande also confirmed the payments, citing administrative and budget delays as the reason for the initial hold-up.
The disbursement of arrears is seen as a positive step to restore trust in the NYSC scheme and improve morale among Nigerian youth.
