The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, provided insights on Sunday concerning the possible increment in the monthly allowance for corps members. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bio-Ibrahim clarified that there are no immediate plans to raise the allowances, considering the challenges posed by food inflation and the escalating cost of living in the country.
The minister assured that despite the constraints in resources, the government is committed to exploring innovative approaches to ensure the well-being of corps members. She stated, “We can’t say for sure, we all understand that resources are dwindling, even oil revenues are not as they used to be but we will find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is taken off.”
Recalling the previous adjustment made by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2020, where the allowance for corps members was increased from N19,000 to N33,000, the minister acknowledged the economic challenges faced by the country. She emphasized the government’s dedication to finding alternative means to cater to the welfare of corps members.
In addition to addressing the issue of allowance, Bio-Ibrahim shared that the government has announced a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. The objective is to transform the NYSC into a scheme and agency that not only serves as a social program but also generates revenue. The proposed reform aims to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the NYSC in the evolving socio-economic landscape.