KEY POINTS
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Oyo corps members say their October allowances remain unpaid.
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NYSC blamed a technical glitch in the GIFMIS payment system.
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An earlier promise to pay by the first week of November was missed.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Oyo State have expressed frustration over the delay in receiving their October 2026 monthly allowance, despite assurances from the state coordinator that the outstanding payments would be made before the end of the first week of November.
The affected corps members reportedly remained unpaid as of Monday, November 9, even though serving members in other states had begun receiving their allowances from October 26.
One of the affected corps members, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, said the delay had caused financial difficulties and uncertainty among those depending on the monthly payment to meet their basic needs.
Corps Members Complain Despite Payment Assurance
The corps member said NYSC members in several other states received their October allowances between October 26 and the early days of November, while those posted to Oyo State were still waiting.
The source expressed disappointment that the payments had not been made despite an official communication from the Oyo State NYSC management acknowledging the problem.
According to the corps member, the state coordinator had addressed the issue through official NYSC communication platforms around Monday or Tuesday of the previous week.
The coordinator reportedly assured affected members that the outstanding payments would be processed before the end of the first week of November.
However, the deadline passed without the money reflecting in their accounts, leaving corps members uncertain about when they would receive their allowances.
NYSC Attributes Delay to GIFMIS Technical Glitch
In a statement issued on behalf of the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General OO Nafi’u, the Oyo State Coordinator acknowledged the delay and apologised to affected corps members.
The coordinator explained that the problem resulted from a technical glitch within the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the platform responsible for processing the payments.
The statement said the relevant authorities were working to resolve the technical problem and ensure that the outstanding allowances were paid without further delay.
The coordinator also recognised the difficulties caused by the delay, noting that the monthly allowance was important for meeting corps members’ daily needs and financial commitments.
He assured them that the matter was receiving attention and expressed optimism that all affected members would receive their October payments before the end of that week.
However, the latest account from an affected corps member indicated that the promised payment deadline had elapsed without any money being credited.
Delayed Allowance Raises Welfare Concerns
The delay has renewed concerns about the welfare of corps members undertaking the mandatory one-year national service programme.
Many serving members rely on their monthly allowance to cover essential expenses, including transportation, feeding, accommodation and other daily commitments.
Failure to receive the payment on schedule can therefore create financial difficulties, particularly for those without additional sources of income or financial support.
Although the NYSC management attributed the problem to a technical issue with GIFMIS, it had not provided a confirmed new payment date in the statement cited in the report.
As of the time SaharaReporters filed its report on November 9, the affected corps members in Oyo State were still awaiting their October allowance.
The situation has left them hoping that the technical problem will be resolved and the outstanding payments released.
