The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says the monthly stipends for corps members will be increased as soon as the federal government implements the new minimum wage.

In July, the organised labour sector accepted N70,000 as minimum wage following negotiations with the federal government.

The bill increasing Nigeria’s minimum wage from N30,000 was passed at the national assembly on July 23 and assented to on July 29.

Yusha’u Ahmed, director general of the NYSC, says the monthly stipends for corps members will be raised from N33,000 once the federal government implements the new wage law.

Ahmed was in Kebbi and Sokoto to address the 2024 Batch ‘B’ stream two corps members at the orientation camps in both states.

Speaking on the monthly stipends, he said corps members’ contributions to the country’s socio-economic development are invaluable.

Ahmed said members of the scheme must use their service year to develop themselves and plan for a brighter future.

He encouraged corps members to embrace the NYSC skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme.

“At least, learn a skill while in camp and after the Orientation Course, you continue with the post-camp training,” the DG said.

“Try to acquire a skill that would enable you to create jobs and employ others instead of searching for jobs. We have many ex-Corps members across the country who are doing well in their different vocations today.

“The NYSC Management has partnered with many reliable organizations like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Unity Bank Access Bank, and NNPC Foundation among others, that have been assisting in giving loans and grants to Corps Members.”

Ahmed assured corps members of safety during the pendency of their service year.

He said campers would be posted to secure locations but urged them to remain vigilant in their surroundings.

Aghata Banki-Okolo, NYSC coordinator in Kebbi, said corps members have adapted well to camp life.

“They are responding positively to all camp activities and instructions. We also have a total number of 240 camp officials that have been applying emotional intelligence in the discharge of their duties”, she said.

“A total of 1,195 Corps Members have been registered, comprising 1,077 for Kebbi and 118 that were dislodged from Zamfara State.”

Also speaking, Yakubu Usman, NYSC coordinator in Sokoto, commended corps members for their discipline and quick adaptation to the camp environment.

Usman added that Sokoto’s corps member population totals 1,488, comprising 682 males and 806 females.

He said they include 134 males and 66 females displaced from Zamfara due to security threats.