In a recent tweet from his verified account, Nigerian senator and activist Shehu Sani commended the recent increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to ₦77,000 but suggested further adjustments for female Corp members.
According to Sani, while the increment is commendable, female Corp members should receive ₦100,000 due to the unique challenges they face during their service year.
“The increase in the allowance of the Youth Corpers to 77k is commendable. But those of the Female Corpers should have been jerked up to 100k since they suffer more,” Sani wrote.
The NYSC program is a mandatory one-year national service for Nigerian graduates, which often involves being deployed to different regions of the country. During this period, participants, known as Corp members, are entitled to a monthly allowance, typically referred to as “allawee.” The recent increase to ₦77,000 is part of a broader push to align compensation with Nigeria’s new minimum wage structure.
Sani’s statement reflects a growing awareness of the gender-specific challenges that female participants endure during the program. These challenges can range from concerns about personal safety in remote areas to managing health and hygiene, which may require additional financial resources. His call for higher allowances for female Corp members aims to address these issues by ensuring that they are adequately supported throughout their service.