The Federal Government has officially increased the monthly allowance for all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to ₦77,000, aligning with the recently approved national minimum wage. The new pay structure, which took effect in March 2025, includes serving medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and medical laboratory scientists.
This development was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, which stated that the raise demonstrates the administration’s renewed commitment to youth welfare and national service.
Beyond the uniform monthly allowance, medical corps members deployed to various public health institutions across the country also receive additional stipends from their Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs), as well as from some state governments. These supplementary allowances, however, vary widely based on the location and funding capacity of the receiving institutions.
Reports from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) indicate that medical corps members assigned to government hospitals under the FCT Administration receive between ₦31,000 and ₦75,000 monthly as extra incentives, depending on their field of specialisation. For instance, medical doctors often earn the highest stipends, while physiologists and other allied health professionals may receive lesser amounts.
In some states, health corps members deployed to tertiary hospitals and specialised facilities also benefit from additional financial support. However, these payments are not standardised and may depend on budgetary provisions or internal policies of the hosting institutions.
Reacting to the development, several corps members expressed relief and optimism, noting that the revised allowance and supplementary payments will ease the financial pressures associated with national service.
“I can now focus more on my duties without constantly worrying about how to meet my basic needs,” said Dr. Chika Okwuosa, a corps doctor serving in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the NYSC authorities have urged corps members to remain dedicated to their service year and advised them to report any cases of delayed or denied allowances from their PPAs to the state secretariats for appropriate intervention.
Stakeholders in the health sector have also lauded the increase in allowances, describing it as a timely incentive that will encourage young medical professionals to contribute meaningfully to the country’s overstretched health system during their one-year mandatory service.
With this new policy in place, the Federal Government hopes to strengthen the morale of corps members across all sectors and ensure that the national youth service scheme continues to be a cornerstone of national integration and human capital development.
