NYSC DG Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu confirms that ex-corps members will receive arrears from the newly approved ₦77,000 minimum wage. Here’s what you need to know.
In a reassuring statement to ex-corps members and stakeholders nationwide, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, has confirmed that those who recently concluded their service year will receive arrears of the newly approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance.
This announcement was made during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop held in Abuja, where key stakeholders and heads of corps-producing institutions gathered to deliberate on ways to strengthen the mobilisation process.
The development comes amid growing anticipation among serving and former corps members following the Federal Government’s commencement of the new allowance disbursement to active participants.
- Ex-Corps Members Included in New NYSC Allowance Package
- What Prompted the New Allowance?
- NYSC Mobilisation Process Under Scrutiny
- Calls for Reform: Minister of Youth Development Speaks Out
- NYSC Minimum Wage Arrears: What Corps Members Should Know
- Strengthening the Future of NYSC
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ex-Corps Members Included in New NYSC Allowance Package
Speaking on the issue, Nafiu emphasized that the Federal Government is fully committed to fulfilling its financial obligations to all corps members — serving and discharged alike.
“Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. Once we receive cash backing for the arrears, we are going to credit them; we have their bank details,” the NYSC DG said.
This statement addresses widespread concern over whether only currently serving corps members would benefit from the upgraded allowance. Nafiu assured that once funds are released, the payment would be made without discrimination.
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What Prompted the New Allowance?
The Federal Government had in 2024 approved a ₦77,000 monthly allowance for corps members, aligning with the new national minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, disbursement did not begin until early 2025, prompting questions about arrears and retrospective application.
With the clarification provided by the DG, it’s now certain that those who completed their NYSC in late 2024 and early 2025 will also receive back pay covering the months they were eligible under the new wage structure.
NYSC Mobilisation Process Under Scrutiny
Beyond financial matters, the NYSC DG and other top officials at the workshop also addressed ongoing concerns about the integrity of the mobilisation process.
The Director of Corps Mobilisation, Mohammed Abubakar, highlighted the fraudulent uploading of unqualified individuals by some tertiary institutions — a practice that continues to undermine the credibility of the scheme.
“We still face serious issues, particularly concerning the fraudulent uploading of unqualified graduates,” Abubakar stated.
He stressed that while significant improvements have been made in recent years due to innovation and better collaboration, there is still a need for strict vigilance and accountability to ensure only qualified individuals are mobilized.
Calls for Reform: Minister of Youth Development Speaks Out
Also present at the event was the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who called for a complete reform of the NYSC scheme in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration.
“We must reform the scheme to meet our changing society,” Olawande said.
“Let us reshape the process to meet the demands of the labour market. Reforming the NYSC mobilisation is not the job of the government alone. It is a collaborative effort.”
The minister recalled the original purpose of NYSC when it was established in 1973 — fostering national unity — and noted that while that purpose remains valid, the structure and operations must evolve to meet 21st-century realities.
He proposed that the scheme should not just deploy graduates but also prepare them to be job-ready, self-reliant, and globally competitive.
NYSC Minimum Wage Arrears: What Corps Members Should Know
With the official confirmation that arrears will be paid, here are a few key takeaways for both serving and recently discharged corps members:
- ✅ You do not need to apply for the arrears – NYSC already has your bank details.
- ✅ Arrears will be paid once funds are released and budgeted accordingly.
- ✅ Ex-corps members who passed out between the minimum wage approval and payment commencement will benefit.
- ❌ NYSC has not provided an exact payment date yet — patience is advised.
- 💳 Payment will be made directly into the bank account used during your service year.
If you fall within the category of affected ex-corps members, ensure your bank account remains active and keep monitoring NYSC’s official communication channels for updates.
Strengthening the Future of NYSC
The discussion at the Pre-Mobilisation Workshop went beyond financial matters. It focused on future-proofing the NYSC scheme, with emphasis on:
- ✅ Ensuring the credibility of mobilisation processes
- ✅ Encouraging inter-agency collaboration
- ✅ Fostering national development through youth empowerment
- ✅ Introducing new skills acquisition strategies aligned with modern industry needs
The renewed attention on NYSC reform suggests that major updates may be on the horizon, including curriculum changes, post-service entrepreneurship support, and digital tracking of corps member performance.
Conclusion
The confirmation by NYSC DG Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu that ex-corps members will receive the ₦77,000 arrears is a welcome relief to thousands of Nigerian graduates who recently completed their national service. It reflects a renewed sense of responsibility and responsiveness from the Federal Government to the welfare of its youth population.
At the same time, calls for systemic reform show that NYSC is not just focused on payment issues but also on enhancing the quality, transparency, and impact of the entire mobilisation and deployment process.
As developments unfold, both current and former corps members are encouraged to stay informed and take full advantage of all opportunities offered by the scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The NYSC DG has confirmed that once funds are released, corps members who recently passed out will receive their due arrears.
All corps members who served during the period between minimum wage approval (2024) and the start of disbursement in 2025 are eligible.
No. Payment will be made automatically using the bank details you provided during your NYSC service year.
A specific date has not been announced yet. Payment will commence once NYSC receives cash backing from the government.
Corps members are now entitled to ₦77,000 monthly, following the new minimum wage structure signed into law in 2024.
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