Serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Oyo State have expressed frustration over the failure of the Federal Government to pay their October monthly allowance despite earlier assurances from the state coordinator.
The affected corps members said they were still waiting for their payments as of November 9, even though the NYSC management had promised that the outstanding allowance would be released before the end of the first week of November.
One of the corps members, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that members serving in several other states had received their October allowance between October 26 and the early days of November, while those posted to Oyo State remained unpaid.
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The delay has reportedly created financial difficulties for affected members, many of whom depend on the monthly allowance to cover transportation, feeding, accommodation and other essential expenses.
The corps member explained that the state NYSC management had earlier circulated an official message acknowledging the delay and assuring members that the issue would be addressed.
In the communication issued on behalf of the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General OO Nafi’u, the Oyo State Coordinator attributed the payment delay to a technical problem with the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the platform responsible for processing the allowances.
The coordinator apologised for the inconvenience and acknowledged the importance of the monthly payment to corps members’ daily needs and financial commitments.
He also stated that the relevant authorities were working to resolve the technical problem and ensure that the outstanding payments were processed without further delay.
The state coordinator subsequently expressed confidence that all affected corps members would receive their October allowance before the end of the first week of November.
However, the promised deadline passed without the money reflecting in the accounts of affected corps members, according to the source.
The development has raised concerns about the welfare of young Nigerians undertaking the mandatory one-year national service, particularly those who depend on their monthly allowance to meet their basic needs.
As of November 9, corps members serving in Oyo State were still awaiting their October allowance, with no confirmed payment date communicated to them.
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