NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed, has promised corps members an increase in allowances once the new minimum wage is implemented for civil servants. Addressing members at orientation camps in Kebbi and Sokoto, he also encouraged them to prioritize skill acquisition. The NYSC continues partnerships with institutions like the CBN and Bank of Industry to provide loans and grants for entrepreneurial corps members.
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has reassured corps members across the country that their monthly allowances will be increased as soon as the new federal minimum wage is implemented for civil servants.
During his visit to the Kebbi State orientation camp in Dakingari and Sokoto State orientation camp in Wamakko, Ahmed emphasized that the new wage structure would also benefit corps members, bringing an increase to their monthly stipends.
In a statement released by the NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Director General highlighted that, “Corps members have been assured that as soon as civil servants start receiving the new minimum wage that was approved by the federal government, their monthly allowance would also increase.”
Beyond the wage increase, Ahmed encouraged corps members to focus on developing essential skills during their service year, particularly through the NYSC’s skill acquisition programs. “At least learn a skill while in camp, and after the orientation course, you continue with the post-camp training. Try to acquire a skill that would enable you to create jobs and employ others instead of searching for jobs,” he advised.
To support this goal, he pointed to NYSC’s partnerships with several reputable financial institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and NNPC Foundation. These partnerships provide loans and grants to corps members who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs after their service year.
In addition, Ahmed assured the corps members that their safety would remain a top priority throughout their service. “The scheme will not post any member to a place where their safety is not guaranteed,” he stated, while urging them to remain security conscious.
Ahmed commended the corps members for their dedication and contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, encouraging them to use the service year to further develop their skills and plan for a bright future.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Coordinator for NYSC, Mrs. Aghata Banki Okolo, provided an update on the camp’s operations, reporting that a total of 1,195 corps members had been registered, including 1,077 for Kebbi and 118 dislodged from Zamfara State.
In Sokoto, the State Coordinator, Alhaji Yakubu Yaro Usman, reported a high level of discipline among the 1,488 corps members in the state’s orientation camp, which includes 682 males and 606 females. Additionally, the camp hosted 200 corps members dislodged from Zamfara State.