Lady Calls Out NYSC Allowance as Insufficient: "My House Rent Is N1.2M a Year, NYSC Pays N33k a Month, Which Is N396K In a Year"

 A Nigerian lady has sparked a heated conversation on social media after revealing her frustrations with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance, describing it as inadequate for meeting basic needs, particularly in urban areas.

The lady shared her experience, highlighting the discrepancy between her living expenses and the monthly allowance provided to youth corps members.

In her post, the lady disclosed that her annual house rent amounts to a staggering N1.2 million, while the NYSC provides a monthly stipend of only N33,000, which totals N396,000 for the entire year. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the amount, emphasizing that it was insufficient to cover even basic living expenses, let alone meet rent and other obligations.

“My house rent is N1.2 million a year. NYSC is paying N33k a month, which is N396k in a year. This is clearly not enough, and anyone who is complaining about this situation is just being a coward. It’s unfair and unrealistic to expect corps members to live on such a small allowance, especially in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt,” the lady posted.

Her comments have since gone viral, with many social media users sharing similar sentiments about the challenges faced by NYSC corps members who are posted to expensive cities. The lady's statement also drew attention to the financial strain many young Nigerians face during their compulsory service year, which is supposed to provide an opportunity for professional development but is often marred by financial difficulties.

The revelation has sparked a wave of responses online, with many people agreeing that the NYSC allowance is far from adequate. Some have criticized the program for not factoring in the rising cost of living in many Nigerian cities. "How do they expect us to live on N33,000 a month when rent alone is over a million naira? It's simply not feasible,” one Twitter user commented. “NYSC should be ashamed of themselves for underestimating the real cost of living in Nigeria.”

Others have pointed out that many corps members are forced to rely on their families or side hustles to make ends meet during their service year. “It’s crazy. Many of us have to depend on our parents or find other ways to survive because the allowance can’t even take care of transport and food. This is not sustainable,” another user wrote.

However, some commenters also urged the lady to be more patient, suggesting that the NYSC stipend is intended to be a basic allowance while corps members gain experience. “NYSC isn’t supposed to be a job, it’s meant to give you experience. The allowance is not supposed to cover everything,” one person argued.

Corps Members Speak Out:

Many NYSC members have joined the conversation, sharing their own frustrations with the allowance and the high cost of living in their places of deployment. “I’m stationed in Lagos, and my monthly transport fare alone takes a large chunk of my stipend. What am I supposed to live on after that?” one corps member said. “The allowance is too low for the reality we face. It’s not enough to even feed and pay for accommodation in many places.”

The NYSC scheme was designed to foster national integration and provide young Nigerians with opportunities for skills development. However, its financial sustainability has long been a point of contention, with many corps members questioning whether the program adequately addresses the needs of those who serve in major cities.

The debate has sparked calls for reform, with many suggesting that the NYSC should review its payment structure to reflect the current economic realities of the country. Some believe the allowance should be adjusted for different regions, particularly for corps members posted to urban areas where the cost of living is much higher than in rural locations.

“The government needs to seriously rethink the way they’re handling this. NYSC should make sure that its allowance is enough for corps members to live decently while also gaining valuable experience,” a commenter urged.

As the conversation continues to unfold, the frustrations of young Nigerians participating in the NYSC program are becoming increasingly clear. With rising living costs and the relatively low stipend, many are calling for a reevaluation of the scheme’s financial aspects. The situation has prompted a larger discussion on the economic challenges faced by the youth in Nigeria and the need for a more supportive environment to ensure that the NYSC serves its intended purpose without placing unnecessary financial burdens on corps members.