When Will FG Pay Corpers Arrears? This Is What We Know

Federal Government’s Promise Fulfilled But Arrears Still remains Unsettled

After months of uncertainty and frustration, the Federal Government has now started the new N77,000 monthly allowance payment for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Corps members received credit alerts on Wednesday, 26th of March, 2025, confirming the increased stipend.

This marks the end of a long wait that had led to growing frustration and protests among corps members.

While the new allowance has been credited to corps members’ accounts, the issue of unpaid arrears remains unresolved.

What you should know about your arrears

Corps members are still waiting to receive the back pay they are owed for the months prior to the raise.

According to reports from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), the arrears were not included in the latest payment but assured that the government is working on clearing the backlog soon.

Understanding the Delay: Why Did it Take So Long?

The raise in the NYSC allowance was first announced in September 2023, with the stipend set to increase from N33,000 to N77,000, in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. However, the implementation was delayed due to financial challenges and administrative processes. Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, explained that although President Bola Tinubu had approved the raise months ago, the necessary budgetary allocations were not in place at the time.
“It was not in the budget when the President announced it,” Olawande clarified.

He added that certain agencies and parastatals needed to have their salaries included in the budget before any payments could be made.

While the disbursement of the N77,000 allowance is a positive development, corps members are still awaiting the settlement of the arrears. Many hope that the government will clear the outstanding payments without further delays and that future disbursements will be made on time.

The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, had reassured corps members last week that payments would begin in March. However, the unresolved issue of the arrears remains a point of concern.

Corps members are hopeful that the government will keep its promises and address the backlog promptly.

Will the Government Keep its Promise?

Although the N77,000 stipend marks a milestone, the lingering question of unpaid arrears has left many corps members skeptical. They are now waiting to see whether the government will follow through on its promises and clear the backlogs without further setbacks.

For now, corps members are holding on to hope that the government will fulfill its commitments and ensure that future disbursements are timely and consistent.