March 25, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to clearing the backlog of the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In September 2024, the government increased Corps members’ allowances from N33,000 to N77,000 in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. However, the new payments are yet to be implemented six months later.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today”, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, attributed the delay to administrative and budgetary processes but confirmed that necessary approvals had been secured, allowing payments to begin soon.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate, but it will happen. You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question: ‘What are those that are going out now, are they going to receive it (backlog)?
“I’ve explained this several times. Some people say I always say, ‘It is a process.’ But it’s seriously a process. It was not in the budget when the president announced it, and for some agencies and parastatals, you need your salary to be in the budget before it is paid.
“The budgetary allocation has been done. We are done with the process; it has been approved, it has been signed, and now they can start paying it”, he said.
Olawande reassured Corps members that the government remains committed to their welfare and urged patience as the payment process unfolds.
Meanwhile, the minister dismissed reports of disciplinary action against Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, who recently criticised President Bola Tinubu on social media.
“The girl (Uguamaye) has not been threatened. No panel has been set up against her, and she will not be facing any disciplinary process. If an individual is not comfortable with something and feels that something is happening, they should not be afraid to come out and talk”, Olawande said.
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