Has NYSC Allowance Been Increased

Yes, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance has been increased. The Federal Government of Nigeria approved a significant hike in the monthly stipend for corps members, raising it from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024. This adjustment, tied to the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, aims to improve the welfare of corps members amidst rising living costs. However, the implementation of this increase has faced delays, with payments only beginning in March 2025, sparking discussions about the challenges and implications of this long-awaited change.

How Much Is Corpers’ Allowance Now?

As of 2025, the NYSC monthly allowance is ₦77,000. This is an upgrade from the former ₦33,000 that had been in place since 2020. The increment was announced in September 2024, after the government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 and adjusted corps members’ stipends accordingly.

However, the actual payment at the new rate began in March 2025, following budgetary processes, fund allocation, and system updates.

Will FG Pay Corpers’ Arrears?

Yes — corps members are entitled to arrears. Since the new allowance was approved to start from July 2024, but payments at ₦77,000 only began in March 2025, there is a gap of several months where corps members were underpaid.

Key Points on Arrears

Who will get it? All corps members who served during the affected period (July 2024 – February 2025) will receive arrears.
Ex-corps members included: If you finished your service during the affected months, you are still eligible.
Payment in batches: Arrears are not paid to everyone at once; payments depend on the release of funds.
First phase already paid: In June 2025, many ex-corps members received ₦44,000, which represents at least one month’s difference between the old and new rates. More payments are ongoing.

What Is the Current Amount of NYSC Allowance?

Right now, the current NYSC allowance is ₦77,000 per month. This is paid directly by the Federal Government to corps members’ accounts, usually at the end of each month.

It is important to note that this is only the Federal Government allowance. Some corps members may also receive:

State Government Allowance – Varies by state; some states pay between ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 monthly, while others pay nothing.
PPA (Place of Primary Assignment) Allowance – This is paid by your employer during service and can range from a token to significant amounts, depending on the organization.

How Much Does National Youth Service Pay?

In summary, NYSC now pays ₦77,000 monthly from the Federal Government.
This payment is uniform for all corps members across the country, regardless of posting or sector. However, those in certain high-demand sectors (e.g., health, IT, teaching in rural areas) might receive more from their PPAs.

Other Things You Need to Know About the NYSC Allowance Increase

1. Why the Increase Happened

The increase was tied to the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Since corps members’ allowance is pegged to the minimum wage, any upward adjustment in minimum wage automatically triggers a review.

2. Possible Delay in First Payments

Even though the approval was made in 2024, budget processes meant the first ₦77,000 payment didn’t come until March 2025. Similar delays may happen in the future if another adjustment is announced.

3. Arrears Payment Timeline

While there’s no fixed date for full arrears settlement, the NYSC management has confirmed that both current and past corps members will get what is owed, as funds are disbursed by the Federal Government.

4. Tax and Deductions

The NYSC allowance is not taxed. However, if you receive extra pay from your PPA, that employer may deduct tax depending on your contract.

5. Budget Impact

The increase means the government’s annual budget for NYSC allowance rose significantly — from about ₦99 billion to over ₦230 billion annually. This explains why payments are sometimes staggered.

6. How State Allowances Differ

Some states are more generous than others:

Abia: ₦5,000 monthly.
Adamawa: Recently hiked to ₦30,000 monthly, announced August 1, 2025—highest in the country right now.
Akwa Ibom: Increased to ₦20,000 monthly, effective August 1, 2025 (up from ₦5,000).
Anambra: ₦8,000–₦8,500, depending on urban or rural posting.
Bauchi: No extra allowance.
Bayelsa: ₦6,000 in the capital, ₦8,000 outside, ₦10,000 for riverine areas.
Cross River: No extra allowance.
Ekiti: ₦5,000 monthly.
Enugu: ₦10,000 (though payments can be irregular).
Jigawa: ₦5,000 monthly.
Kaduna: ₦3,000 monthly.
Kebbi: ₦2,000 monthly.
Kwara: No extra allowance.
Lagos: ₦15,000 monthly for those in public schools, ₦10,000 for state ministries; up to ₦75,000 for medical corpers in hospitals.
Nasarawa: ₦5,000–₦6,000 monthly.
Oyo: ₦15,000 monthly.
Rivers: ₦20,000 monthly for all corpers (uniform rate).
Sokoto: ₦5,000 monthly, often as a ₦45,000 lump sum at end of service.
Taraba: Varies, with special packages for those in schools (up to ₦395,000 annually, broken into stipends).
Zamfara: ₦10,000 monthly (doubled recently).

7. Importance of Correct Bank Details

Any mistake in your bank details on your NYSC portal can delay your payment for months, even after the general disbursement is done. Always double-check your records.

Conclusion

The increase in NYSC allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 is one of the most impactful changes in the scheme’s recent history. While the delay in implementation caused some frustration, the fact that arrears are being processed means corps members will eventually get their full entitlement.

For prospective corps members, this is a major boost as it eases financial pressure during the service year. For those who have already served during the affected period, patience is key as the government works through phased payments.