ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the Nigerian organisation offering a compulsory year of service for graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has dismissed any expectations of an increase in monthly allowances for its members.
Speaking at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Brig-Gen Yashua Dogara Ahmed, Director-General of the Youth Scheme, explicitly stated that there are no plans to increase the allowances for the time being.
His message to the corps members: focus on skills acquisition rather than relying on a salary increase.
“This present government increased the corpers’ allowance. It was N19,500, and they increased it to N33,000. That’s fair enough,” said Brig-Gen Ahmed, referencing the last increment made by the government.
His words seemed to disappoint many corps members who had been hopeful for a raise in their monthly stipend.
Nevertheless, he urged the corps members to make the most of their service year by gaining practical skills that could help supplement their income.
“I’ve told the corps members, pick a skill and learn,” Brig-Gen Ahmed stressed. “Even as government workers, I told them, salary is never enough for us. We always ask for an increment.”
The NYSC Director-General further emphasized the inevitability of dissatisfaction with salary levels, regardless of the field of work.
“Today, you’re collecting N33,000, and when you finish serving, you get a job of N100,000 to N150,000, and that is five times what you used to get, but you’ll still be complaining and looking for an increment.”
Brig-Gen Ahmed’s words sparked a wide-ranging debate among current and former members of the NYSC, many of whom continue to struggle with the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
As a result, his call for skills acquisition has been met with mixed reactions, as it highlights the ongoing challenge for Nigerian youth to find sustainable employment after their service year.
The NYSC, established in 1973, has become a rite of passage for many Nigerian youths, serving as a bridge between university education and employment.
However, the recent economic realities have cast a spotlight on the program and the financial struggles of its members.
The issue of allowance increment, it seems, will remain a contentious one in the foreseeable future.
