By Didimoko A. Didimoko
There is joy among outgone corps members following revelations that the National Youth Service Corps has promised to pay arrears of the minimum wage to members who recently completed their service.
It was gathered that some ‘corpers’ who recently passed out from the one-year scheme could get as much as N385,000 arrears following the latest revelation by the NYSC.
The government began paying the N77,000 allowance to corps members in March, following a delay of eight months after President Bola Tinubu approved the new minimum wage law.
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, the Director-General of NYSC, made this promise during a workshop in Abuja for representatives from institutions that send graduates for national service.
While speaking at the event, the NYSC Director-General assured the public: “The government is committed to fulfilling its promise. As soon as the funds are available, we will pay the arrears. Corps members who just finished their service will also benefit.
“We have their bank details, and once the money is released, it will be credited to their accounts.”
He also reassured Nigerians, saying, “There’s no need to worry. The government is dedicated to addressing the needs of the people.”
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated that the NYSC needs to be updated to fit the needs of today’s society.
He explained, “When the scheme was created in 1973, it had a specific purpose. But things have changed over time, and we must adapt the scheme to meet the current demands of society. It’s crucial to ensure it helps graduates prepare for the job market.”
Olawande added that reforming the NYSC is a team effort that involves more than just the government. “We need to work together to create an NYSC that is flexible and will serve future generations,” he said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, assured the NYSC of the government’s continued support. Represented by Abdullahi Suleiman, the Mandate Secretary for Youth and Sports, he promised that the FCT administration would keep collaborating with the NYSC to achieve its goals.
