NYSC considers increment of members’ allowances over high cost of living

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may soon have their allowances reviewed in the light of current high cost of living in the country.

Director General, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, made this known, yesterday, during an interactive session with the Martins Etim Esin-led House of Representatives committee on youth development.

The NYSC boss, however, said the increment would depend on outcome of the proposed review of workers’ salaries by the Federal Government.

Ahmed also expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would assent to the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, to reposition the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme established in 2022.

He said corps members trained under the programme, in their areas of interest, have the potential to become employers of labour, instead of waiting to be offered jobs at the end of the service year.

The Director General further reiterated resolve to ensure participants are well fed during their stay at orientation camps, adding that proactive measures have been taken to curb recurring cases of rejection of members at places of primary assignments.

Commenting on the fate of corps members kidnapped in Zamfara State, Ahmed said NYSC, in conjunction with security agencies and the Zamfara government, has made inroads towards securing their release.

On safety measures put in place by the agency, he said: “We have always given key advice to prospective corps members. The issue of traveling at night…it’s there on paper. We strictly advise them not to embark on night journeys. If they get anywhere by 6:00 p.m., they have to break the journey and pass the night in any military barracks or in our NYSC lodges spread across the country.”