Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved a major increase in the monthly allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, raising the payment from ₦4,000 to as much as ₦50,000.
The new allowance structure provides a ₦20,000 base payment for all corps members serving in Abia, while those posted to state government establishments will receive an additional ₦10,000. Corps members in medical and teaching fields will earn an extra ₦30,000, bringing their total monthly package to ₦50,000.
The approval was announced on Friday in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, who said the review complements the Federal Government’s new ₦77,000 NYSC allowance and reflects Otti’s commitment to youth empowerment and public service revitalisation.
“This is the first major adjustment in 27 years and demonstrates Governor Otti’s resolve to bridge the human capacity gap in education and healthcare,” Ukoha stated.
He added that the Otti administration has consistently supported corps members through upgrades to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende, including internal road repairs, new power installations, and facility improvements—despite the camp being federally owned.
“The governor believes that every institution within Abia, whether state or federal, deserves attention because it ultimately benefits Abians,” Ukoha noted.
Otti’s government has also implemented the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for state and local health workers, aligning their pay with federal standards to enhance morale and productivity.
With this increment, Abia State now ranks among Nigeria’s top states in corps member welfare, joining Adamawa, where Governor Ahmadu Fintiri recently raised the NYSC allowance to ₦30,000.
Governor Otti said the new policy underscores his administration’s focus on rewarding excellence, empowering youth, and building a stronger future for Abia through service and innovation.
