Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has approved a new payment structure for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state, increasing their monthly allowance “from ₦4,000 to as much as ₦50,000.”
According to a statement released on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, all corps members serving in Abia will now receive a base allowance of ₦20,000 monthly. Those assigned to state government establishments will get an extra ₦10,000, while medical and teaching corps members will earn an additional ₦30,000 each month.
“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.
The Chief Press Secretary explained that the adjustment complements the Federal Government’s new ₦77,000 allowance and represents part of Governor Otti’s larger plan to empower young people and rebuild the state’s workforce.
“This marks the first major adjustment after 27 years, reflecting Governor Otti’s commitment to youth empowerment and workforce development in Abia,” the statement added.
Ukoha noted that the governor has consistently supported corps members through projects such as the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area, upgrading internal roads, installing power facilities, and improving camp infrastructure—even though the camp belongs to the Federal Government.
“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,” he said.
The statement also recalled that Otti’s government had 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 encourage productivity.
About 35 per cent of the state’s budget, according to the government, is now dedicated to healthcare and education, which it described as “pillars of institutional capacity and human capital development.”
The governor said the new reforms were designed to make service more rewarding for corps members and inspire young professionals to contribute meaningfully to Abia’s progress.
“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 new policy, Abia now joins the list of states offering the highest monthly stipends to NYSC members in Nigeria.
Earlier in the year, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, had also raised the monthly allowance of corps members serving in the state from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000, pledging continued support for their welfare and comfort.
