By Ihie Grace
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Ekiti State have called on the scheme to enhance financial welfare and provide better career growth opportunities for corps members.
Speaking with our correspondent, Faith Ayomide, one of the corps members, expressed her concerns saying that the meagre allowance from the scheme does not meet their daily needs.
According to her: “After completing our orientation camp, we were deployed to various Places of Primary Assignment (PPA). I anticipated some form of financial support in addition to the monthly stipend of ₦33,000 we receive.
“However, to my surprise, no such provision was available, particularly for expenses like food and transportation. To be honest, ₦33,000 is hardly sufficient to cover all monthly expenses unless you have a part-time job.”
Ayomide further highlighted the challenges faced by some corps members who must report to their Places of Primary Assignment, PPAs, daily.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to secure part-time employment, and this can lead to financial hardships. Some individuals even have to endure long walks because they cannot afford transportation fare.” She added.
Another respondent, who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed similar thoughts and called on the NYSC to post corps members to PPAs that align with their career fields.
“Some states lack the necessary resources to place corps members in roles that utilize their expertise. For instance, assigning someone who studied oil and gas or engineering to a state with no oil production makes it challenging for them to find relevant work. In such cases, they end up working in unrelated roles, often as teachers.”
The respondent stressed the importance of placing corps members in roles that align with their educational backgrounds, allowing them to gain practical experience and apply what they learned in school effectively.
In response to these concerns, Ekiti State corps members are urging the NYSC to consider their welfare and career development more comprehensively, ensuring that corps members are better equipped to contribute meaningfully to their host communities and gain valuable experiences in their chosen fields.