The Edo State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has controversially extended the service year of over 30 corps members by an additional 90 days without pay for airing grievances about their unpaid N77,000 allowance.
This penalty follows their protests, which were shared in a WhatsApp group, raising concerns over the non-payment of their stipends.
The affected corps members, who had completed their one-year mandatory service on March 17, 2025, were instead given a
“Notification of Extension of Service” rather than their expected NYSC Discharge Certificates. Reports reveal that the extension stems from their complaints about the allowance, which were voiced in a WhatsApp group created by an NYSC official.
The group, initially intended for updates, became a platform for discussing issues surrounding the unpaid stipends.
“We were discussing and voicing out our grievances, but days later, we were summoned for questioning at the Department of State Services (DSS) and the NYSC Secretariat. Despite the interrogation, nothing happened until the extension came last week,” one of the affected corps members explained.
Prior to the extension, some of the corps members had been issued a query letter on September 6, 2024, accusing them of inciting a protest against the NYSC scheme and the Federal Government.
The letter demanded explanations for their actions, which were deemed to violate the NYSC Bye-Laws regarding the use of official channels for airing grievances.
In the letter, NYSC officials condemned the online incitement, stating: “Despite repeated warnings, you chose to disregard this directive, inciting other Corps members to protest.”
The extension notice, issued on March 17, 2025, highlighted that the 90-day extension was a direct consequence of their involvement in online protests.
The NYSC now mandates these corps members to report to the Head of Community Development and Relief (CD&R) at the NYSC Secretariat to begin the extended service period.
The letters emphasized that their Certificates of National Service (CNS) will remain withheld until they complete the extended service period.
The decision has sparked outrage, with critics questioning the fairness of punishing corps members for exercising their right to voice concerns. It also raises serious questions about the treatment of youth and the transparency of the NYSC scheme.
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