In a landmark gesture that has set a new benchmark for youth welfare in Nigeria, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved a sweeping increase in the monthly allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state — raising payments from a modest ₦4,000 to as much as ₦50,000.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, the new allowance structure takes immediate effect and is designed to both motivate and reward service, particularly in critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
Under the revised structure, all corps members deployed to Abia will now receive a base monthly allowance of ₦20,000, while those posted to state government establishments will earn an additional ₦10,000. Corps members serving as teachers or medical personnel will get a further ₦30,000, bringing their total earnings to ₦50,000 monthly—exclusive of the Federal Government’s new ₦77,000 NYSC allowance.
“This marks the first major adjustment after 27 years,” Ukoha noted, describing it as a reflection of Governor Otti’s “unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and workforce development in Abia State.”
He explained that the decision aligns with Otti’s broader reform agenda, which prioritises rebuilding the state’s human capital base through investment in health, education, and youth initiatives.
The statement recalled that the governor had previously upgraded facilities at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area—renovating hostels, improving internal roads, and installing new power infrastructure.
“The governor believes that every institution or infrastructure within Abia, whether federal or state-owned, deserves attention because it is Abians who benefit the most,” Ukoha said.
The new allowance structure comes alongside other workforce-related reforms in the state, including the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers and local government employees, aligning their pay with federal standards.
With approximately 35 percent of the state’s annual budget now dedicated to healthcare and education, the government said the reforms are aimed at strengthening what it calls the “pillars of institutional capacity and human capital development.”
For many young Nigerians currently serving in Abia, the development represents not just a financial relief but also a recognition of their role in state-building.
“Governor Otti’s latest move sends a clear message: Abia State is serious about empowering youth, rewarding excellence, and building a future where service is truly valued,” the statement concluded.
With this bold move, Abia now ranks among the most corps-friendly states in Nigeria. Earlier in the year, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri also raised corps members’ allowances from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 — a move that drew national commendation at the time.
But with Otti’s latest announcement, Abia appears to have raised the bar even higher for youth welfare and service recognition in Nigeria.
