A group of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have appealed to President Bola Tinubu for a raise in the allowances provided to corps members serving across the nation’s 36 states.
They highlighted the financial strain caused by the soaring cost of living, leading many to take up additional jobs to meet their basic needs.
In an open letter penned by the Concerned Corps Members and obtained by journalists, they emphasized the inadequacy of the current monthly allowance of N33,000 in light of the prevailing economic challenges.
The letter stated, “We respectfully advocate for NYSC corps members to be included in recent wage increment initiatives. As dedicated young graduates serving our nation with commitment and selflessness, we play a vital role in various sectors, contributing to national development and community building.”
The corps members lamented the escalating prices of essential goods, pushing many to desperate measures for survival, such as fetching water from streams and working in exchange for food on farms, exposing them to hazardous conditions.
They also urged the NYSC authority to address unfavorable working conditions faced by some corps members at their primary assignments.
Responding to the concerns, NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, assured that the government would consider the corps members’ plight in its efforts to mitigate the impact of economic hardships.
“While it is not within NYSC’s jurisdiction to adjust corps members’ allowances, the government acknowledges their contributions and is committed to addressing their concerns as part of broader efforts to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” Megwa stated.
