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Tag: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

  • NYSC urges infrastructural upgrade in Anambra camp

    NYSC urges infrastructural upgrade in Anambra camp

    Anambra State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Pauline Ojisua has appealed for infrastructural upgrades at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu.

    Ojisua who made the appeal on Friday at the inauguration of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course said the upgrade included construction of additional accommodation for officials and urgent interventions to mitigate erosion threats.

    She appreciated government for its ongoing support, particularly for integrating Corps members into the One Youth, Two Skills initiative.

    She congratulated the corps members for their successful mobilization, describing the Orientation Course as the bedrock of their service year.

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    “This course is designed to equip you with leadership skills, civic responsibility, and entrepreneurial capacity.

    “You are already showing admirable discipline and enthusiasm. Let this spirit guide you throughout your service,” she stressed.

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo urged corps members to uphold the ideals of national unity, service and sacrifice.

    Soludo, represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Engr. Martin Agbili described corps members as torchbearers of national transformation.

  • NYSC arrears: A broken promise or bureaucratic delay?

    NYSC arrears: A broken promise or bureaucratic delay?

    Sir: In a nation where the youths are often celebrated in speeches but neglected in policy execution, the lingering issue of unpaid arrears for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members is both disappointing and telling.

    In 2024, the Federal Government made headlines with a progressive announcement: an increase in the NYSC monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000. The change was in line with the new national minimum wage approved under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

    For many, it marked the beginning of what they believed would be a more dignified service year, especially in a time when inflation and the cost of living have made financial independence nearly impossible.

    But several months down the line, hope has given way to frustration. The promised arrears for the period between the official wage increase and the commencement of the new payments have yet to be paid.

    This delay is more than just an administrative oversight. It reflects a deep-rooted issue in Nigeria’s approach to youth policy implementation. At the centre of the crisis are the thousands of corps members who served during the transitional period, particularly those from Batch C 2023, Batch A 2024, and Batch B1 2024, who will be passing out this June 3rd.

    These sets were assured that they would be paid arrears to match the revised allowance. Yet, they continue to wait, with each passing month amplifying their sense of betrayal.

    While the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Akinmakun Nafiu, have both publicly confirmed that the arrears will be paid, there is scant evidence of concrete timelines or payment schedules.

    It is important to note that these arrears are not mere bonuses. They represent compensation that is rightfully owed to Nigerian graduates who have fulfilled their civic duty under often difficult conditions. From insecurity in certain regions to poor accommodation, lack of healthcare, and inadequate support structures, corps members brave numerous challenges during their service year. The least the government can do is fulfil its promise of timely and adequate remuneration.

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    The emotional and economic toll of this delay is profound. For some, the arrears represent money that could have been used to launch small businesses, support family obligations, or transition into post-NYSC life. Instead, these young Nigerians are left disillusioned, grappling with uncertainty in a system that seems to perpetually short-change them.

    Moreover, the delay sends the wrong message to incoming corps members. If those who have served are not paid what they are owed, what motivation is there for new graduates to view the NYSC scheme with optimism? What faith should they have in a system that promises one thing and delivers another? For a country battling youth unemployment, brain drain, and rising emigration rates, this is not just a policy misstep; it is a crisis of confidence.

    It is not enough for officials to reassure the public with vague promises. What is needed is a clear, transparent, and time-bound roadmap for disbursement. A communication strategy must also be put in place to keep corps members informed of the progress. Silence breeds distrust. Lack of accountability erodes confidence. And continued delays only deepen the frustration.

    As a country, we cannot claim to empower our youth while simultaneously failing to honour our obligations to them. Every corps member who gave their time, energy, and skill to serve Nigeria deserves to be paid what was promised in full and without further delay.

    If we are truly committed to the principles of fairness, service, and accountability, then the NYSC arrears issue should be resolved not in another month or quarter, but now. This is not just about money. It is about national honour.

    •Ifunanya Osakwe,University of Benin, Benin City.

  • Corps members take free medical outreach to traders

    Corps members take free medical outreach to traders

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Mushin Local Government have conducted a free medical outreach at Ojuwoye Market.

    The initiative, themed Community Health Matters: Caring for Our Own, provided much-needed medical tests and consultations for traders who rarely have the opportunity to visit healthcare facilities.

    The initiative was spearheaded by NYSC Corps members under the Community Development Service (CDS) programme.

    Dr. Aishat Oduye, one of the medical professionals present at the outreach, expressed concerns about the rising cases of hypertension and diabetes among local residents.

     “We have noticed a large number of cases of hypertension and diabetes. Many people have high blood pressure and do not even know it. We saw a patient with a blood pressure reading of 200, which is extremely dangerous. These conditions can lead to strokes and other serious health issues,” she stated.

    Dr. Oduye emphasized the need for continuous medical check-ups, urging residents to take advantage of government-provided healthcare services.

     “Lagos State and the Federal governments have assigned various health centers where people can get free medical check-ups. It is crucial for them to go for routine check-ups, even if they don’t feel sick. Hypertension and diabetes are silent killers and regular monitoring is essential,” she said.

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     According to Olushola Babatunde, the Community Liaison Officer, the project was designed to provide medical assistance to traders who often forgo health check-ups due to time and financial constraints.

    “Our CDS programme is about making a positive impact. After conducting a survey, we realised that many market traders could not afford basic health check-ups. Given the current economic hardship, this outreach aims to bridge that gap by bringing healthcare to their doorstep,”

    “Many of these women wouldn’t go to the clinic even when forced to because they simply don’t have the time. By bringing doctors, pharmacists, and nurses here, we are making a significant impact,” Babatunde said.

    He also called on other NYSC groups to focus on projects that create tangible benefits for their host communities.

     “CDS projects should not just be about surface-level contributions but about real, lasting impact. Whether it’s in healthcare, education, or infrastructure, we should aim to improve lives.”

    The president of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency CDS, Emmanuel Uche, highlighted the financial challenges faced while organizing the outreach.

    “The biggest obstacle was funding. Corps members are willing to sacrifice their time and resources, but without adequate financial support, it’s tough. We wanted to do even more, but we were limited by available funds,” he explained.

    Despite these challenges, the outreach was a success, thanks to contributions from various partners, including Codix Pharmacy, Hon. Razaq, the Fountain of Life Church, and Mushin Local Government officials, Mrs Funmilayo Lasaki.

    Uche expressed gratitude to all supporters and emphasized the importance of community involvement in healthcare initiatives.

    “The impact of this outreach will be huge. It will encourage healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about critical health issues. More importantly, it gives people access to medical care they might not have had otherwise, potentially saving lives,” Uche added.

    Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed their appreciation for the free healthcare services.

    Temitayo, a trader at the market, shared her experience, “I am very happy about this outreach. I got examined and received free medication. It has been over a month since I last checked my health because I’m always busy with work. This was a great opportunity for me.”

    Another beneficiary, Baba Ayo, echoed similar sentiments. “I was given medicine for free, and my health was checked. I can’t remember the last time I went to the hospital because medications are expensive. The government should support initiatives like this so that people like us can get the healthcare we need without financial burden.”

    The President of the Environmental Protection and Sanitation CDS, Okin Oluwademilade, emphasized that this outreach was part of a broader effort to give back to society.

     “The economy depends on markets like this, and many traders don’t realize they have health issues. We wanted to help by offering free healthcare. However, funding remains a challenge, and we had to source contributions from within and outside Mushin. We appreciate everyone who supported us.”

  • Corps members’ stipend

    Corps members’ stipend

    It is salutary that govt has renewed its promise to pay. But it should do so quickly to demonstrate commitment to youth matters

    For National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, the announcement by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Oluwande, that the newly- approved monthly allowance of N77,000 would be paid ‘despite months of delay’ is good news. The Federal Government had last year increased the allowance from N33,000 to align with the new minimum wage, after years of agitations by corps members and their parents, given the inflationary trends and increased cost of living in the country. 

    The announcement came as a soothing balm to the corps members, especially given the furore and outrage that followed the viral video of a corps member, Ushie Aguamaye, lamenting the high cost of living on the old NYSC allowance. Following her outburst on the social media, there has been a series of support for her plight and condemnations of her wrong use of words , after which a member of the staff of the NYSC called her to take down the video.

    We believe that despite the brouhaha that trailed the viral video, her action might have influenced the announcement by the minister. Even if he maintains that the payment might not be immediate, he assured that the backlog would be paid to all deserving corps members.

    The Director of the NYSC, Brigadier- General Olakunle Nafiu, had earlier last week promised that the payments would begin by the end of March. The minister had claimed that the delay in the payments was basically due to budgetary and administrative processes.

    We commend the Federal Government for acting on the understated demand that underlined the viral video which bordered on both disrespect and frustration. This shows a matured response in line with the nurturing restraint that parenting and care for the young in the country entail.

    The NYSC was instituted in 1973 by the Gowon administration as a post-war unifying strategy for Nigeria’s young graduates. More than 50 years later, there have been applauses and knocks for the scheme. Some people believe it has outlived its value given the minuses that have trailed the process while others want it to continue but its lapses corrected.

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    The NYSC scheme is an admirable initiative that over the years has produced innumerable good results. Given that the scheme comes immediately after graduation as a one-year service to the country, it serves as a stop-gap before the graduates seek employment. It is a way of re-orienting young graduates across the nation, thereby enhancing social networks and dismantling religious and cultural biases that are often divisive. Many talents and inter-ethnic marriages have been some of the good outcomes. Many outstanding corps members have been rewarded with awards and instant appointments.

    However, it is pertinent to say that the incident that triggered the intended disbursement of the new allowance to the NYSC members might have been avoided if the ‘budgetary and administrative processes’ were handled with the urgency and precision needed under such circumstances. This is just one of the outcomes of tacky red-tapism that has huge impact on the socio-economic lives of citizens.

    A supplementary budget should have been worked out to take care of the upward review of the corps members’ stipend when the announcement was made last year, knowing full well that many of them had been posted to places far from their home states; instead of waiting for another budget cycle.

     The welfare of children and young people is often not being handled with the seriousness and precision it demands. Administrative lethargy keeps impeding development and this must stop for us to make progress. Issues that concern the youth who are the future of the country must be prioritised at all times because it is akin to watering flowers for the country to bloom.

    The enthusiasm being expressed by many young people following the viral video is just indicative of the mood of the young ones. Even if there were processes that impeded the implementation of the new allowance, simple communication might have pre-empted the young lady’s public video that seems to have now sparked off the #30DayChallenge which seems a direct outcome of the young people as a vent window.

    Our policy makers and implementers must, with the benefit of hindsight, remember their own days as corps members who were referred to

    colloquially as “government pikin”, a social coinage that embodied the fact that corps members earned full care (often bordering on excessive pampering) from governments that were hands-on in taking care of the NYSC members. That was a period that inspired patriotism and high productivity. These were some of the reasons the scheme was set up in the first place.

    The value of the attention to the NYSC scheme at this time must be in the adjustments by governments and its agencies to shape up and be more proactive on issues that are not just about NYSC members but all children and youths, in line with international best practices. More care must be seen to be shown about not just the allowance but their general care.

    There is presently a huge skepticism about the scheme, as, over the years, deaths, kidnappings and certain careless treatment of corps members have been discouraging. These should not be compounded.

    However, now that the government has decided to pay, it must ensure that those in service as at the time the announcement was made also benefit, in line with its promise, irrespective of the number of months they deserved.

    There can be a new beginning aimed at re-inventing the scheme if only because of its many positives.

  • Fed Govt begins payment of new N77, 000 NYSC allowance

    Fed Govt begins payment of new N77, 000 NYSC allowance

    •Delays arrears settlement

    After months of delays, the Federal Government has commenced the payment of the revised N77, 000 monthly allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    Several corps members confirmed receiving credit alerts reflecting the increased stipend on Wednesday, ending the prolonged wait that had led to frustration and protests.

    This comes just days after the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, assured Nigerians during a television interview that payments would be made by the end of March.

    However, while the new stipend has been disbursed, arrears owed to corps members remain unsettled.

    A source in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed that the outstanding arrears were not paid alongside the new allowance. The official explained that the government was still working on the details and assured that the backlogs would be cleared soon.

    The increase in corps members’ allowances was first announced in September 2023, raising the monthly stipend from N33, 000 to N77, 000 to align with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

    Despite the approval, implementation stalled due to financial constraints and administrative processes.

    Speaking on the matter, Olawande defended the government’s slow response, stating that while President Bola Tinubu had approved the raise months ago, the required budgetary allocations were not in place at the time.

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    “It was not in the budget when the president announced it. Some agencies and parastatals need to have their salaries included in the budget before anything can be done or paid out,” he said.

    The Minister clarified that the necessary budgetary adjustments had now been completed, allowing the government to proceed with payments.

    “Anybody can approve anything, but you must have a budgetary allocation for it. Now, they are done with the process. It has been approved and signed. Now, they can start taking it,” he added.

    The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, also gave assurances last week that corps members would begin receiving payments this month.

    While the disbursement of the N77, 000 allowance marks a significant milestone, corps members continue to anticipate the resolution of pending arrears, hoping that the government follows through on its promises without further delays.

  • ‘NYSC didn’t post Corps members to religious organisations’

    THE Ondo State secretariat of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied posting its members to religious organisations, especially churches.

    Its spokesman Bankole Simeone made the clarification on Sunday in Akure, the state capital.

    He said the NYSC secretariat in the state was responding to the trending “fake story” on the social media to clear its name.

    The spokesman stressed that the secretariat would not go against the established policy of the scheme.

    Simeone said: “The NYSC in Ondo State has observed with dismay the fake news trending on the social media about a purported allegation that the secretariat has posted some corps members to religious organisations, especially churches.

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    “Ordinarily, one would have ignored the report as a figment of the writer’s imagination. But as a responsible corporate citizen, we do not treat any matter regarding or relating to our esteemed and patriotic corps members with levity.

    “The story is not only untrue but mischievous, misleading and contains fallacies capable of tarnishing the good image the secretariat is enjoying in the public eye.

    “Ondo State cannot work at crossroads with the directives or policies of the National Youth Service Corps scheme where it is clearly stated that no corps member should be posted to religious organisations.

    “We have never done so and we do not intend to compromise on this very sensitive posting policy.

    “I wish to state categorically that apart from the four key areas, which the policy is clear and unambiguous about, other areas we serve because of their voluntary nature of assignment are non-governmental and cultural organisations.”

    Simeone added that any posting done in error or contrary to the established policy would be reversed immediately it is brought to the notice of the management.

    He advised the public to disregard the purported allegations in the social media report.

     

  • Corps members tackle traffic congestion in Lokoja

    As part of their Community Development Service, the Road Safety Corps of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Lokoja chapter, is offering complementary services to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), via traffic control.

    Its President, Nasiru Jamiu Oladapo, stated this during an exercise at major junctions in Lokoja. The excercise was in conjunction with the FRSC, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The routes include: Ganaja junction; Government House junction, GTbank junction; State Specialist Hospital junction; Post Office junction, and Natako junction.

    Oladapo said: “We are embarking on these movement so as to enlighten and sentisise people of Lokoja on how to abide by the rule and regulations that governed roads and to always ensure their own personal safety on and off the road.”

    Oladapo, a Cadet in Chief, noted that since their obligation borders on ensuring effective control of  traffic, road safety, learning important road signs, as well as learning how to deal with road drivers, there was the need to take the bull by the horns.

    “Our outdoor meetings will also serve as a motivation for most undergraduate to be eager to serve and belong to FRSC CDS and as well avenues for all our members of FRSC CDS to acquire road and traffic controlling system;be motivated to tackle any related road issues that they might be encountering in the nearest future.

    “We are still planning to strengthen our wings around the schools in introducing FRSC club to them. Likewise, we are planning to go on courtesy visit to FMC (Federal Medical Centres) and some hospital to check on road accident victims and embark on road sensitisation – be  they car drivers, motorist and even pedestrians.”

  • Bring joy to your parents, NYSC DG tells corps members

    THE Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has advised corps members to imbibe characters that will bring joy rather than hypertension to their parents.

    The NYSC chief gave the advice while addressing the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members during an inspection visit at the Anambra State temporary orientation camp at Umunyain Oyi Local Government Area.

    He stressed the need for good conduct among corps members to project positive images of their families and the nation.

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    Ibrahim urged them to shun actions that could haunt them in future.

    He said: “Be morally upright. Display characters worthy of emulation and shun those that can debase your integrity.

    “Don’t let actions of today haunt you tomorrow. Maintain good conduct to avoid attracting adverse reports into your files.”

  • ‘325 Corpers benefit from BoI’s N540m loan’

    THE Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Friday said the Bank of Industry (BoI) has given loan of N540 million to 325 corps members who are entrepreneurs under the scheme’s Graduate Empowerment Fund.

    He also said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with Heritage Bank has disbursed another N15million to seven corps members under the NYSC/ CBN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP).

    The DG said 1,132,409 corps members have so far been equipped with Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) package of the scheme.

    He spoke at a media parley with editors and reporters in Abuja.

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    He said: “The SAED was established in 2012 with the mandate to drive the scheme’s collaboration with various stakeholders toward addressing the problem of graduate youth unemployment.

    “The scheme is collaborating with national and international organisations toward providing material, technical and financial support for the programme.

    “So far, 1,132,409 corps members have been sensitised and over 70,000 have undergone various forms of skills training.

    “The BoI-NYSC Graduate Empowerment Fund, which is a product of our partnership with the Bank of Industry, is yielding encouraging results with the sum of over N540 million so far disbursed as loans to 325 corps entrepreneurs.

     

     

  • NYSC only stable workforce in Nigeria, says DG

    The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has said the scheme remains the only stable workforce in Nigeria.

    Ibrahim spoke yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital, during a meeting with Acting Governor Mohammed Ketso, while requesting for a location to site the Northcentral area office of the scheme.  According to him, the NYSC can be seen in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria and does not go on strike.

    The NYSC chief said there would be a big challenge if the scheme is terminated.

    “If you go to any nook and cranny in this country, you will see NYSC members. I have been to rural areas in local governments and I saw Corps members working there as doctors and in other occupations.

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    “I can assure you that if there are no more Corps members here and there, there will be a challenge. Corps members do not go on strike; they are in national service and are ready to put in their best,” he said.

    Ibrahim urged the state government to make Corp members comfortable for them to give in their best.

    He said: “We have got approval for the siting of six area offices in the six geo-political zones across the country. Niger State has been chosen to host the Northcentral area office.

    “We are here to appeal to the state government to provide accommodation for the workers who will be posted to man the secretariat. We hope you will oblige us this request.”

    Ketso said the state government would partner the NYSC to make the Northcentral area office a reality.  “We are ready to strengthen our relationship with all Federal Government institutions in the state. We are glad that NYSC values us enough to choose the state to site its Northcentral office.”