
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lamented the Federal Government’s failure to implement the upward review of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members’ allowances, which was announced in September 2024.
The group described the government’s prolonged inaction as unjust and deceptive. It urged the immediate actualization of the promised policy to uphold the integrity of the NYSC scheme and ensure the welfare of Nigerian youths.
According to the group, the announcement, which raised corps members’ monthly stipends from N33,000 to N77,000, was widely welcomed as a significant step toward alleviating the financial burden faced by NYSC members during their mandatory year of national service.
However, HURIWA noted that four months after the declaration, the government has yet to implement the policy, leaving corps members disillusioned and struggling to meet basic needs amid rising inflation.
HURIWA’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement yesterday, argued that the delay is a violation of trust, stating: “The NYSC should be an institution that embodies transparency and fairness. It is unacceptable for the Federal Government to announce an allowance increase only to leave corps members in a state of indefinite uncertainty. This failure undermines the credibility of the government and the institution, while subjecting thousands of young Nigerians to unnecessary hardship.”
The association also noted the broader implications of the unfulfilled promise, emphasizing that the NYSC allowance is a critical support system for young Nigerians who dedicate a year of their lives to serving the nation. “Many corps members rely on the stipend for transportation, accommodation, feeding, and other essential expenses during their service year. Reports from corps members reveal widespread frustration and disappointment.”
“If they had no intention of paying the money, why announce it in the first place? This is a betrayal of trust. The N33,000 allowance barely covers transportation. How are they expected to survive? This delay shows how little the government values the NYSC scheme,” HURIWA frowned.
The group called on the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to take decisive action in ensuring that the reviewed allowances are paid without further delay. The organization also urged the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to youth development by prioritizing policies that improve the lives of young Nigerians rather than making empty promises.
Furthermore, HURIWA criticized the Youth Minister’s involvement in political conversations about Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a potential candidate for Lagos State Governor in 2027.
The association described the Minister’s remarks as a distraction from the pressing issues confronting Nigerian youths, including multidimensional poverty, unemployment, and lack of equal opportunities.
The organization urged the Minister to focus on his mandate of youth empowerment and development, noting that politicizing the youth agenda undermines public confidence in his leadership.