By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Federal Government has assured Nigerian graduates observing the compulsory one-year national service that they will receive the backlog of their delayed increased 77,000 monthly allowance.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night.
Olawande reaffirmed the government’s commitment to settling the backlog.
He said, “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details.’”
He further assured corp members that the government would ensure the delayed payments are made, though he cautioned that it may take some time.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen,” he said.
Recall that it was widely reported on the 25th of September, 2024, that the federal government announced an increase in the monthly stipends for corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.
However, the new adjustment has yet to be implemented despite repeated promises.
But in a renewed assurance to corps members Olawande, revealed that serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced are expected to receive backdated payments.
This comes a week after the new Director General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, stated that corps members should expect the new allowance to take effect in March.
