The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to investigate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over the failure to implement the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members.
The student body expressed disappointment that months after the Federal Government approved the increase from N33,000 to N77,000 — effective July 2024 — the NYSC is yet to begin payment.
NANS, in a statement by its National Vice President for Inter-Campus Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, on Sunday, described the delay as unjust and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, had earlier attributed the non-payment to the delay in the release of funds.
However, Akinbodunse questioned the explanation, noting that findings from her office showed that corps members received only N33,000 for their February allowance instead of the promised N77,000.
READ ALSO: Corps Members to Get ₦77,000 Monthly Allowance Starting February — NYSC DG
She argued that with the Federal Government and many state governments already implementing the new minimum wage, there was no justification for withholding corps members’ allowances.
Akinbodunse warned that the failure to pay the approved allowance could affect the morale of corps members amid the current economic hardship in the country.
“The leadership of the student body will engage the NYSC to understand why corps members have not received the new minimum wage allowance, even when NYSC staff are already benefiting from the increase,” she said.
NANS urged the Federal Government to swiftly probe the delay and ensure corps members receive their rightful entitlements without further delay.