NYSC Members Not Included in ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted claims circulating in the media regarding the payment of a ₦70,000 minimum wage to corps members. The Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Eddy Megwa, emphasized that no directive has been received from the government to raise the allowance of corps members.

In a recent statement, Megwa urged corps members, their parents, and the public to disregard the misleading information. He stressed that the approved channel and mode of communication within the scheme are well-known to corps members, and they should be wary of misinformation spread by mischief-makers aiming to deceive the public.

Historically, the NYSC increased the allowances of corps members from ₦19,800 to ₦33,000 in 2020, following the signing of a new minimum wage bill of ₦30,000. Recently, in late July, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill into law to increase the National Minimum Wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. This move came after extensive negotiations between government authorities, labor unions, and the private sector.

The President’s decision to sign the minimum wage bill into law marks a significant step in his administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers. During his election campaign, Tinubu had promised to implement a living wage for workers, and the signing of this bill fulfills that promise.

The path to achieving the new minimum wage was long and arduous. Labor unions initially proposed ₦494,000, while the government countered with ₦60,000. After several rounds of negotiations, a consensus figure of ₦70,000 was agreed upon on July 18. This amount will be reviewed every three years to keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.

The new minimum wage law comes at a critical time for Nigeria, where the inflation rate hit 34 percent in June 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The increased wage is expected to alleviate some of the economic pressures faced by Nigerian workers in light of recent economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.

Despite the positive steps taken by the government, the NYSC reiterates that the new minimum wage directive has not yet been extended to corps members. The management of NYSC calls for patience and vigilance among corps members to avoid falling prey to false information.

In related news, the NYSC continues to emphasize the safety and well-being of its members. Recent incidents include the rescue of 15 abducted corps members in Anambra and warnings against night parties from the NYSC Director-General.

The public is encouraged to stay informed through official channels and avoid unverified sources of information.