Governor Otti approves ₦50,000 monthly allowance for corps members in Abia
Story by Susan Mbamah
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced a major increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, raising it from ₦4,000 to as much as ₦50,000.
According to a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, the new structure introduces a ₦20,000 base allowance for all corps members posted to Abia. Those serving in state government establishments will receive an additional ₦10,000, while medical and teaching corps members will earn an extra ₦30,000 each month.
Ukoha explained that the new payment complements the Federal Government’s recent adjustment of the national NYSC allowance to ₦77,000, describing the initiative as part of Governor Otti’s broader policy to strengthen youth empowerment and rebuild critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
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“This marks the first major review in 27 years and reflects Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to youth development and workforce revitalization in Abia,” the statement read.
The governor, through his spokesman, also highlighted ongoing improvements at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area including renovated facilities, upgraded power infrastructure, and improved internal roads despite the camp being federal property.
“Governor Otti believes that whether federal or state-owned, every institution in Abia deserves attention because it is Abians who ultimately benefit,” Ukoha added.
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He noted that the administration has also implemented the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for state and local government health workers, ensuring parity with federal standards. About 35 percent of the state’s 2025 budget, he said, is devoted to healthcare and education sectors described as “pillars of institutional capacity and human capital development.”
Otti’s administration said the allowance increase is intended to make service more rewarding and to attract young professionals to contribute meaningfully to Abia’s progress.
“With this development, Abia now ranks among the states offering the highest stipends to corps members in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
For comparison, PUNCH Online earlier reported that Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, had in August raised corps members’ monthly allowance in his state from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000, reaffirming a growing trend among state governments to improve youth welfare.
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