The Federal Government has commenced the payment of the revised N77,000 monthly allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after months of delay. Corps members confirmed receiving alerts reflecting the increased stipend on Wednesday, bringing an end to the prolonged wait that had led to frustration and protests.

This development follows an assurance by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who recently stated in a television interview that payments would begin by the end of March.

However, while the revised stipend has now been disbursed, the arrears owed to corps members remain unpaid. A source from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed that the backlog was not included in the recent payments but assured that efforts were ongoing to clear the outstanding amounts.

The increment, first announced in September 2023, raised the monthly stipend from N33,000 to N77,000 in alignment with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Despite this approval, implementation was stalled due to financial constraints and administrative processes.

Addressing the delay, Olawande explained that while President Bola Tinubu had approved the raise months ago, it was not included in the budget at the time. He noted that adjustments had to be made before disbursement could begin.

“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 said.

Similarly, the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, had earlier assured corps members that payments would commence within the month.

While the disbursement of the N77,000 allowance marks a significant step forward, corps members continue to anticipate the payment of their pending arrears, hoping the government fulfils its promise without further delays.