Some Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) have demanded an immediate increment to the monthly allowance of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members.

NYSC is a programme set up by the Nigerian government during the military regime in 1973 to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the development of the country. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973, graduates of universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the one-year programme.

The monthly allowance of corps members was increased to N33,000 during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. However, inflation and the cost of living in the country have been on the rise since then.

This was why the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) earlier planned to embark on an indefinite strike on Tuesday before reaching an agreement with the Tinubu-led government on Sunday night to suspend the planned strike action.

This followed the Tinubu government’s approval on Sunday of a N25,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for a period of six months.

This development has led to a demand for the inclusion of NYSC corps members’ allowance among the increased fees.

An X user identified as KimOluwaseyi said, “Gas price rises from 300naira per kg to 1k per kg, yet the FG kept dropping the same 33k for corpers. And the officials of NYSC decided not to talk, cos if they’ve been complaining to FG, they will at least increase the allowance, but they kept mute, because they are not affected.

“As things in market began to cost, the money we are receiving as salaries should also be increased so that it will balance back, for instance, fuel rises from 245 to 600naira per litre, the transport fare increases, yet the they kept paying the same 33k and you can’t fight for us.”

“If things keep going like this people will be skipping going far for Nysc because they are becoming liability to their parents again, coz u were took away from home where you have business doing and dump you somewhere that you have to buy everything 4 a living,” another user, Violence tweeted.

Uhriemefe |X| tweeted, “Please we are begging you guys to also note that corpers need to know if they’re considered as people who also deserve this increment of salaries.

We deserve this, surviving on 33k is a circle of debt lifestyle.” “Before we elect mr president he promised that he will increase the worker salary by adding minimum wages so he has done that, what about the NYSC Alawee mr president mustn’t forget to add minimum wage to NYSC too. God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬,” Olagunju pleaded.