Corps Members in Edo Receive a 90-day Extension From the NYSC for Protesting Their unpaid N77,000 Allowance in a WhatsApp group.

 Instead of their NYSC Discharge Certificates, the affected corps members received a "Notification of Extension of Service" when they completed their mandatory one-year service on March 17, 2025. According to reports, the extension is a retaliation for their complaints that their N77,000 allowance had not been paid, which they had shared in a WhatsApp group. The WhatsApp group, where corps members voiced their dissatisfaction, was initially established by an NYSC official, according to sources. 

The anonymous administrator who ran the group under the name "Group Update on 77k Allowance" made it a place where people could talk about the unpaid stipends. "Now we were talking about it and voicing our complaints. We were individually summoned to the offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the NYSC Secretariat after a few days for questioning. Since then, nothing has occurred. 

Through a WhatsApp discussion and a few posts titled "FG, pay us our 77k allawee (allowance) -33k is not substantial," I was informed that I had an extension of service for exercising my fundamental human rights just last week, on the day of the passing-out parade. "That is all, and an extension of service awaits us before we know it," stated one of the affected corps members.

 On September 6, 2024, one of the affected corps members received a query letter for allegedly encouraging other corps members to protest the NYSC scheme and the Federal Government. The corps member was required to provide an explanation in the letter as to why no severe disciplinary action should be taken against him. 

The corps members were then individually summoned to the offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the NYSC Secretariat for questioning. However, until they were informed of a service extension later, no immediate action was taken. The NYSC cited their alleged involvement in online protest incitement as the reason for their decision in subsequent extension letters. To begin their extended service, the corps members have been instructed to report to the Head of Community Development and Relief (CD&R) at the NYSC Secretariat. 

"You have chosen to disregard this directive, by inciting other Corps members to engage in protest against the Scheme and the Federal Government of Nigeria, with respect to Corps members' allowance," the letter read on September 6, 2024. "Despite repeated warnings and reminders from Management to utilize only approved channels of communication to air grievances or position on any matter, you have chosen to disregard this directive.

" This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. "Contrary to Schedule 1, Paragraph 11 (iii) on page 15 and Schedule 2, Paragraph 1 (m) on page 18 of the NYSC Bye-Laws, you are hereby requested to explain in writing why severe disciplinary action should not be taken against you for your involvement online in inciting other Corps members to protest." "Within 24 hours of receiving this letter, your representation must reach the undersigned.

" However, the service extension letter, dated March 17, 2025, titled "Notification of Extension of Service," partly stated: "I write to inform you that consequent upon your involvement in online incitement of other Corps members to protest against the Scheme and the Federal Government, the CDC has recommended the extension of your service by 90 days, in accordance with schedule 1, Article 11, (iii) on page 15 and Schedule 2, Article 1 (m) on page 18 of the NYSC Bye-Laws.

 "Accordingly, your Certificate of National Service (CNS), will not be released until you have served the required number of days for which your service has been extended.” The letter said in part, "You are to report to the Head of CD&R at the NYSC Secretariat whenever you are ready to begin the extension of service."