The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the disbursement of ₦44,000 in minimum wage arrears to former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This payment addresses the shortfall experienced by corps members who completed their service before the implementation of the revised monthly allowance of ₦77,000.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. Consequently, the NYSC monthly allowance was adjusted from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, reflecting a 10% increment over the new minimum wage. However, due to administrative and budgetary delays, the enhanced allowance only began to be disbursed in March 2025. This delay resulted in a backlog of unpaid differences for the period between July 2024 and February 2025.
Arrears Disbursement
The current payment of ₦44,000 represents a partial settlement of the owed arrears to ex-corps members. The NYSC has initiated these payments in batches, ensuring that eligible individuals receive their dues. Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, the NYSC Director-General, confirmed that the government is committed to settling all outstanding payments and that the disbursements are being processed accordingly.
Reactions from Ex-Corps Members
The announcement has been met with widespread approval from former corps members. Many have taken to social media platforms to express their gratitude and confirm receipt of the arrears. For instance, a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared:
“Just got my alert. I almost deleted my NYSC account. Thank you FG.”
Additional Information
Eligibility: The arrears are designated for corps members who completed their service before March 2025, prior to the implementation of the new allowance.
Payment Process: Disbursements are being made directly to the bank accounts of eligible ex-corps members, utilizing the existing records maintained by the NYSC.
Future Payments: The NYSC has indicated that further payments will continue in batches until all outstanding arrears are settled.
