Corps Members Still Struggling Despite ‘Allawee’ Hike to N77,000

In July 2024, the Federal Government announced an increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members — popularly known as “allawee.”

The news was met with excitement among corps members. Those in the 2023 Batch C and 2024 Batch B, who were serving at the time, eagerly anticipated the upgraded payment.

But weeks turned into months, and many completed their service year without receiving the promised increase.

Olabode, a corps member from the 2024 Batch C, was deployed to the Bauchi State Orientation Camp in January. Like many before him, he waited anxiously for the new allowance.

Unlike his predecessors, however, Olabode didn’t have to wait too long. The Federal Government began disbursing the N77,000 allowance in March.

Speaking with The Guardian, he said he was initially thrilled about the increase — but that excitement quickly faded when faced with harsh economic realities.

After three months of receiving the upgraded allawee, Olabode realized it simply wasn’t enough.

“I was happy at first,” he said. “But considering the current economy, I knew it wouldn’t be sufficient.”

From Promise to Reality, Then to Struggle

Established in 1973 under Decree No. 24 by then Head of State Yakubu Gowon, the NYSC scheme is a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates under 30. Its goal: promote national unity and integration after the civil war.

Eligible graduates from universities and polytechnics — both within and outside the country — are deployed to various states and assigned to work in public and private sectors.

The corps allowance, or allawee, is reviewed periodically to reflect economic conditions. In 2020, it rose from N19,800 to N33,000, and then to N77,000 in March 2025.

Although the inflation rate began to decline following a major rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP and CPI by the National Bureau of Statistics in January, the cost of living remains at record highs.

Despite repeated promises, the increased allowance wasn’t paid throughout 2024.

Even with the new figure, corps members like Olabode argue it still falls short, especially given rising inflation and living expenses.

Serving in a tertiary institution in Bauchi, Olabode told The Guardian the N77,000 is only manageable because he doesn’t pay rent.

“Honestly, it’s not enough if you have to pay for accommodation. I’m lucky my PPA provided me a place to stay. So, I manage with the N77k for food and transport,” he said.

Still, he spends around N100,000 monthly.

“If I stretch things, I spend over N100,000 each month. The N77,000 can’t even carry you comfortably for three weeks,” Olabode added.

A Living Wage — or Just a Drop in the Bucket?

Other corps members shared similar sentiments.

In conversations with The Guardian, many said that although the N77,000 seems like an improvement over previous payments, it’s still inadequate — especially for those serving in more expensive parts of the country.

Nkechi, a corps member in Kwara State, said she spends over N150,000 monthly — more than double the allowance.

“On average, I spend over N150,000 monthly — covering food, transportation, data, airtime, toiletries, savings, and other needs. Sometimes unexpected expenses push it higher,” she explained.

“The cost of living keeps rising — food, transport, and basic services are becoming more expensive. While N77,000 may sound better, it doesn’t go far enough,” Nkechi added.

Garba, serving in Bauchi, echoed her views.

“The N77,000 allowance is far from enough. I spend between N30,000 to N40,000 just on food monthly. That leaves very little for anything else. I constantly have to cut back,” he said.

Making Ends Meet With Side Hustles

Garba, Olabode, and Nkechi all told The Guardian that many corps members now rely on side hustles to get by.

“Many of us, myself included, take part-time jobs, freelance gigs, or run small businesses online just to survive,” Garba said.

Olabode works as a photographer, using his extra income to cover the shortfall.

Nkechi combines hospitality work with selling food. Like others, the additional earnings help her cover basic expenses the allowance cannot.

When asked what they believe a fair allowance should be, Olabode and Garba suggested a figure between N150,000 and N200,000.

However, not all corps members agree on a uniform rate.

A corps member serving in Delta State argued that allowances should vary based on deployment location.

“I think the cost of living differs across the country. Food is cheaper in the North and some parts of the Southwest, but more expensive elsewhere.

“There shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all allowance. Corps members in the South should earn more,” the corps member concluded.

The Guardian

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