With the recent adoption of the new N70,000 minimum pay, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) administration has made it clear that the Federal Government would decide whether to enhance the allowance for corps members.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to PUNCH Newspaper, Caroline Embu, the acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NYSC, made this known during an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday. Her statement came in response to widespread speculations regarding an increase in corps members’ allowances following the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024.
In light of the minimum wage increase, rumors had circulated about a directive instructing corps members to ensure their bank accounts could receive sums exceeding N50,000, sparking discussions on a potential salary increment. A supposed message being shared online read: “Most of the corps members’ accounts opened in the camp cannot take more than N50,000 at once. All corps members are advised to visit their various banks and confirm that their accounts can take or receive more than N70,000.”
However, the NYSC swiftly debunked these claims, releasing a statement that labeled the circulating information as “false and misleading.”
“The attention of National Youth Service Corps management has been drawn to misleading information circulating in the media regarding payment of N70,000 minimum wage to corps members and the directive to upgrade their accounts. This is an absolute falsehood which is far from the truth,” the statement said. It was signed by the former Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa.
The NYSC emphasized that no directive had been issued by any relevant government authority regarding an increase in corps members’ allowances. The scheme also assured the public that any future changes in the allowance would be determined by the Federal Government and communicated through official channels.
When asked on Tuesday whether the NYSC was currently negotiating a new pay structure for corps members, Caroline Embu reiterated that the decision was entirely in the hands of the Federal Government. She emphasized that the NYSC had not yet received any formal communication regarding an increase in the allowance for corps members.
“I don’t know how much the Federal Government will pay the corps members; I cannot tell you that for sure right now because it is a decision of the Federal Government, not the NYSC. The only thing I can tell you now is that when the Federal Government increases the minimum wage, the corps members are expected to enjoy an increase in their allowance too, just like the DG said,” she stated.
The NYSC’s clarification comes as the public continues to speculate on the potential financial benefits that might arise from the new wage policy, particularly for corps members. However, until an official directive is issued by the Federal Government, no changes to the current corps members’ allowance have been confirmed.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
