The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State has directed that the service of some corps members be extended by 90 days.
The punishment, it was understood, was approved by Frances Ben-Ushie, the Edo State coordinator of NYSC.
The affected corps members were penalised for protesting their unpaid N77,000 allowance in a social media group.
They learned of their punishment after receiving a “notification of extension of service” instead of the expected discharge certificates.
The NYSC management in Edo State sanctioned the corps members with a 90-day service extension without pay.
The sanctioned corps members, it was understood, were originally scheduled to complete their service year on March 17, 2025.
However, the punishment has drawn criticism from social media users, with many arguing that the penalty does not match the offense.
Among the critics is Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), who said the action was “unacceptable and therefore, will not stand”.
Wondered a user of the microblogging site X: “NYSC in Edo is punishing corps members with a 90-day extension—without pay—for simply demanding their rightful ₦77,000 allowance?
“Instead of addressing the non-payment, they resort to oppression. This is exploitation, not service to the nation! Unacceptable!”
Another user argued that the corps members deserved to be punished for their actions.
Read the post: “Well, it serves them right. But I 100% know the new @officialnyscng, as a regular will temper justice with mercy by releasing them”.
Caroline Embu, the NYSC spokesperson, had yet to speak on the matter as at press time
