Abia state governor Alex Otti has approved a significant increase in monthly allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, raising payments from ₦4,000 to up to ₦50,000.
Under the new structure, all corps members will receive a base allowance of ₦20,000.
In addition, those posted to state government offices will get an extra ₦10,000, while corps members in teaching and medical roles will earn an additional ₦30,000 per month.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Friday, November 7, by the governor’s chief press secretary, Njoku Ukoha.
“In addition to the federal government’s increased monthly NYSC allowance of ₦77,000, all corps members serving in Abia state will now earn a base monthly allowance of ₦ 20,000, while those serving within state government establishments, and specifically teaching and medical personnel, will earn an additional discriminatory allowance of ₦10,000 and ₦30,000, respectively to motivate interested corp members, thereby bridging the human capacity gap created by decades of neglect and attrition in both sectors,” the statement read.
Ukoha said the increment complements the federal government’s new ₦77,000 monthly NYSC allowance and forms part of the governor’s broader policy to strengthen youth empowerment and public sector capacity in Abia.
“This marks the first major adjustment after 27 years, reflecting dovernor Otti’s commitment to youth empowerment and workforce development in Abia,” the statement said.
It added that Otti’s administration has consistently supported corps members by renovating the NYSC orientation camp in Bende local government area, improving internal roads, installing power infrastructure, and upgrading camp facilities, despite the camp being 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 the most,” Ukoha noted.
Ukoha recalls that Otti’s government had also recently implemented the consolidated health salary structure for health workers across the state and extended it to local government employees, aligning their pay with federal standards to boost morale and productivity in the health sector.
According to the statement, about 35 per cent of the state’s budget is allocated to healthcare and education sectors, which the administration describes as “pillars of institutional capacity and human capital development.”
The governor said the reforms are designed to make service rewarding for corps members and to encourage young professionals to contribute meaningfully to Abia’s growth.
“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 added.
With the allowance increase, Abia state now ranks among the states with the highest monthly stipends for NYSC members.
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