Despite a substantial budgetary allocation of N372.9 billion for corps members’ allowances in the 2025 fiscal year, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is yet to implement the promised increase in corps members’ stipends, five months after its announcement.

The new allowance, raised from N33,000 to N77,000 in line with the new minimum wage law signed in May 2024, was announced by the NYSC in September 2024. However, corps members have yet to receive the revised payments due to delays in cash backing from the Federal Government.

With an estimated 333,000 corps members mobilized annually across three batches—A, B, and C—the total cost of allowances for 2025 is projected at N307.6 billion. The allocation for corps members’ stipends alone makes up 86.5% of the N430.7 billion earmarked for the NYSC in the 2025 budget, the highest allocation to the scheme in the last five years.

Speaking on the delay, NYSC’s acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, confirmed that the scheme was “still awaiting cash backing” from the government.

Meanwhile, newly appointed NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, reportedly assured corps members via a WhatsApp message that the payment would begin in March 2025. However, efforts to get further clarification from the NYSC spokesperson were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.

The delay has sparked concerns among corps members, many of whom depend on the stipend for their basic needs. Civil society organizations have also urged the government to expedite the disbursement, stressing that the delay contradicts the administration’s commitment to improving youth welfare.

With corps members eagerly awaiting their revised stipends, the question remains: when will the government finally fulfill its promise?