For many fresh graduates in Nigeria, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is an exciting chapter. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited at the prospect of finally having freedom away from home?
Add that to the fact that you’re finally earning, and it feels like a gift from heaven. But here’s the thing: while the allowee can feel like free money, it can also be a subtle trap that keeps you comfortable in the wrong way.
If you’re not careful, that little monthly payment might stop you from pushing harder for your bigger goals.
Here, let me discuss some of the reasons I think the person you’re so eagerly pursuing may be a trap.
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It Brings a False Sense of Security
There’s something about money hitting your account monthly that gives a false feeling of stability. With the allowee, you know that even if your side hustle doesn’t work or you’re not making progress on your bigger plans, at least ₦77k will land.
That feeling can dull your hunger for financial independence. Instead of using the year as a springboard to prepare for post-NYSC life, some corps members coast along, forgetting that the money is only momentary and would soon disappear.
Spending Habits That Don’t Match Reality
Ironically, the allowee sometimes encourages people to engage in careless spending. Because it feels like “free” money, corps members often blow it on fast food, weekend turn-ups, or unnecessary gadgets. Over time, this creates habits that are hard to break after NYSC.
The danger is that real life after service doesn’t come with free monthly alerts. If you build the wrong money culture during NYSC, you may struggle when you actually need financial discipline the most.
Losing Focus on Bigger Opportunities
The service year is actually one of the best times to experiment, learn, and prepare for life after graduation. You have time, freedom, and access to people you might never meet again. But if your focus is only on stretching your allowee till the month’s end, you risk missing out on bigger opportunities.
Some people land life-changing careers, businesses, or partnerships during NYSC. Others, unfortunately, spend the year just dependent on their allowee, and come out with nothing to show.
Comfort in Survival Mode
The allowee is designed to help corps members survive the service year, not to make them rich. But because it comes consistently every month, it can trick you into settling for just managing.
Instead of actively pursuing opportunities that could lead to long-term growth, many corps members slip into a survival mindset. They budget just enough for food, transportation, and perhaps some small enjoyment. Before long, that comfort zone becomes a prison, making it harder to dream bigger or hustle harder.
ALSO READ: The hidden benefits of volunteering for career development in Nigeria
Conclusion
The NYSC allowee is a blessing, but it can also be a trap if you let it lull you into comfort. Think of it as a small support system, not your lifeline. Use it wisely. Save, invest, and channel it into learning or side hustles that can outlive your service year.
