Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved a massive increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state from ₦4,000 to as much as ₦50,000.
The new structure, announced on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, sets a ₦20,000 base allowance for all corps members posted to Abia. Those deployed to state government establishments will receive an additional ₦10,000, while medical and teaching corps members will earn an extra ₦30,000 monthly.
The increment aligns with the Federal Government’s new ₦77,000 NYSC allowance, pushing total monthly earnings for some corps members in Abia to over ₦120,000.
According to Ukoha, the decision is part of Governor Otti’s broader reforms aimed at youth empowerment, public sector revitalization, and closing human capacity gaps in key sectors.
“In addition to the Federal Government’s increased monthly NYSC allowance of ₦77,000, all corps members serving in Abia will now earn ₦20,000 as base pay,” Ukoha stated.
“Those in state government institutions, especially teaching and medical fields, will receive additional allowances of ₦10,000 and ₦30,000, respectively.
This is to motivate corps members and bridge workforce deficits caused by years of neglect.”
He described the decision as the first major adjustment to corps members’ stipends in the state in 27 years, reflecting the governor’s “commitment to making service meaningful and rewarding.”
The state government also highlighted several ongoing projects aimed at improving corps members’ welfare, including the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende, road repairs within the camp, and the installation of new power infrastructure.
“Governor Otti believes that any facility within Abia federal or state-owned deserves attention because it ultimately benefits Abians,” Ukoha added.
The statement further revealed that about 35 percent of Abia’s 2025 budget has been allocated to health and education, which the administration described as “the twin pillars of human capital development.”
Otti’s government recently implemented the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers and extended it to local government employees to align their pay with federal standards.
“The governor’s reforms are designed to make service rewarding for corps members and encourage young professionals to participate actively in Abia’s growth,” Ukoha said.
Observers note that Abia now ranks among the Nigerian states offering the highest stipends to NYSC members, joining Adamawa and Akwa Ibom, which recently reviewed corps members’ pay upward.
On August 1, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri raised corps members’ monthly allowance from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth welfare.
Governor Otti’s move, however, stands out for its scale and timing, coming amid rising living costs and nationwide concerns about graduate unemployment.
With this announcement, Abia State positions itself as a leading destination for corps members seeking better welfare and recognition during national service.