Corps members in Nigeria are already beginning to feel like those ritualists we used to see in those old Nollywood movies.
Leave them, their joy is well deserved, for if it is not easy to be a Nigerian as we often say, then just imagine being a Nigerian corps member.
As we speak, youth corps members in Nigeria are about to enter their season of fortune.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced that the Federal Government has approved an increase in corps members’ monthly allowance to ₦77,000, with payments set to begin in February 2025.
At this point, their joy knew no bounds.
“What a good time to serve Nigeria,” many whispered.
But that was not all.
Speaking to the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members in Katsina, Ahmed also revealed that corps members will no longer be posted to communities facing security threats.
He reassured them that their welfare and safety remain a top priority for the NYSC.
He further explained that the revised allowance has been included in the 2025 Federal Government budget, and once approved, corps members will begin receiving the updated payments.
The Increase
The NYSC DG said: “We will not send our corps members to wherever we have security challenges and threats. Wherever we send them they should be less assured that the place is safe and secured for them to serve.
“This month (January) has already ended but once the budget is passed. By next month (February), you will start receiving ₦77,000 instead of the usual ₦33,000.
“The ₦77,000 monthly allowance was approved by the Federal Government and the corps members are expected to reciprocate the government’s gesture during their service year.”
Also Read: FULL LIST: Addresses Of NYSC Secretariats Across Nigeria
To all corps members out there, we say congratulations. However, there are few things we mean to call your attention to.
No, we are not enemies of progress, and trust us when we say “we are truly happy for you”, but…
Yes, there is a but, a very big one.
Trouble Ahead
You see, Nigerians in their nature always get excited with announcements like this without looking beneath the surface.
A recent report detailing the latest price of cow in Lagos surfaced online and trust us the price was not funny.
With prices ranging from ₦1.6 million to ₦1.7 million depending on the size, one cannot begin to imagine how far this ₦77,000 can go.
Some years back, Nigerians celebrated an increase to ₦33,000. Then, it was as if that money was big, but sooner than later, they realised that it was merely a mirage.
That is the same thing that is about to play out again.
A bag of rice cost above ₦100,000, way above the said NYSC allowance.
The high price of goods and services is just the beginning. Don’t forget, there are other expenses awaiting.
The Federal Government recently gave Telecoms approval for a 50% tariff increase, a decision that sparked outrage from many quarters.
As a corps member, if you are putting all your hope on the allawee, then you are in for a long ride. If you think we are bluffing, ask salary workers who earn triple of that amount, yet, survive on debts.
