By our Correspondent
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has approved a significant increase in the monthly allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, the first such adjustment in nearly three decades.
Under the new policy, corps members posted to Abia will now receive a base monthly allowance of ₦20,000, up from ₦4,000, marking an increase of over 1,150%. In addition, those serving in state government establishments will receive an extra ₦10,000, while corps members deployed as teachers or medical personnel will earn an additional ₦30,000.
This brings the total monthly earnings for corps members in Abia , when combined with the Federal Government’s new ₦77,000 allowance to as much as ₦127,000 for some categories.
Governor Otti said the move was part of his administration’s broader effort to motivate young professionals and bridge human capacity gaps in critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
“Our goal is to make Abia State a place where service is valued and rewarded. Corps members contribute immensely to our development, and this adjustment reflects our appreciation for their work,” the Governor said.
The announcement follows a series of interventions by the Otti administration aimed at improving the welfare and working environment of corps members in the state. The government has recently renovated the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area, upgraded its internal roads, provided power supply infrastructure, and refurbished several dilapidated buildings despite the facility being federally owned.
Governor Otti has maintained that infrastructure within Abia, whether federal or state-owned, deserves attention because “Abians are the ultimate beneficiaries.”
In a related development, the state government has also implemented the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for all health workers across Abia, extending the scheme beyond state hospitals to local government health centres. This aligns the state’s health workforce remuneration with federal standards , a move expected to boost morale and reduce attrition in the sector.
The dual wage reforms for NYSC members and health workers are part of what Governor Otti describes as a long-term strategy to strengthen Abia’s human capital base. Education and healthcare currently account for about 35% of the state’s annual budget, underscoring the administration’s prioritization of workforce development.
Analysts say the reforms could make Abia one of the most attractive states for corps members and professionals seeking a conducive environment for service.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Njoku Ukoha, who announced the development, said the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and fair compensation was “a defining feature of the New Abia vision.”
