Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced a major upward review of allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving within the state. The governor approved an increase from ₦4,000 to as high as ₦50,000 per month, depending on the corps member’s posting and area of service.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, the new structure provides a ₦20,000 base allowance for all corps members serving in the state. 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.
Ukoha explained that the increment complements the Federal Government’s newly approved ₦77,000 monthly NYSC allowance. He noted that the development forms part of Governor Otti’s broader policy to strengthen youth empowerment, healthcare, and education in Abia.
“This marks the first major adjustment after 27 years and reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to youth empowerment and workforce development in Abia State,” the statement read.
It added that the state government has also supported corps members through the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area, the improvement of internal roads, installation of power infrastructure, and upgrading of camp facilities, despite the camp being a federal property.
“The governor believes that every institution or infrastructure within Abia, whether federal or state-owned, deserves attention because it is Abians who benefit from them,” Ukoha said.
The Chief Press Secretary further noted that about 35 per cent of the state’s budget has been allocated to the health and education sectors, described by the administration as the “pillars of institutional capacity and human capital development.”
Governor Otti stated that the increment is designed to make service more rewarding and to motivate young professionals to contribute to the growth of the state.
“With this decision, Abia State has now joined the list of states offering the highest monthly stipends to corps members in Nigeria,” Ukoha added.
In a related development, Honorable Updates recalls that on August 1, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, also announced an increase in corps members’ monthly allowance from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members in Girei Local Government Area.
Governor Fintiri noted that the decision aligns with his administration’s resolve to improve the welfare of corps members and create a supportive environment for national service.
