According to Nelson Mandela, “To invest in youth is to believe in the future.” For many years, that belief seemed distant in Abia State. Although the state has always been rich in enterprise, culture, and resilience, its treatment of NYSC corps members told a different story.
Poor welfare, inadequate stipends, and decades of neglect made national service in Abia feel like a burden rather than an opportunity. Today, under the transformative leadership of Governor Alex Otti, that narrative is being rewritten into one of recognition, motivation, and renewed hope for every corps member who serves in the state.
For decades, Abia offered no meaningful allowance to corps members. In the early 2000s, a small ₦4,000 monthly stipend was introduced, barely enough to cover transportation, let alone rent or meals. For 27 years, that figure remained unchanged through successive administrations, even as the cost of living soared and other states began offering supplementary support.
The message, though unspoken, was clear: Abia appreciated national service in words but not in action. As a result, many corps members felt abandoned. While their peers in other states enjoyed better welfare packages, those posted to Abia struggled to survive, especially in the education sector, where many were assigned to rural schools with no accommodation, no transport support, and little motivation.
At some point, Abia became a state corps members prayed not to be posted to. “God, please, I hope I won’t be posted to Abia,” became a common joke among students awaiting their service year. But behind the humour were real concerns, poor welfare eroded morale, and passion dwindled. For most, service in Abia was something to endure, not enjoy.
All of that has now changed completely and decisively.
Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, Abia has not only corrected 27 years of neglect but has also set a new standard nationwide. In a decision that stunned corps members and policy watchers alike, Governor Otti approved a new base allowance of ₦20,000 for all corps members serving in the state.
Understanding the vital roles corps members play in key sectors, he also introduced sector-specific incentives: an additional ₦10,000 for those serving in government establishments and ₦30,000 extra for corps members posted to schools and health facilities. This means that a corps member in the education or health sector can now earn up to ₦50,000 monthly from the state, in addition to the federal ₦77,000 allowance.
This bold reform changed everything. Teaching jobs that corps members once avoided are now being taken with pride and enthusiasm. The message is unmistakable: Abia State now values service and rewards sacrifice.
This change is more than policy, it is restoration. For the first time, a corps member teaching in Umuahia or Ohafia knows that their work will be recognized and appreciated. Abia now offers not just dignity, but genuine reward. No longer must corps members envy their counterparts in other states.
Still, Governor Otti’s vision goes beyond allowances. It is about shaping destinies and nurturing excellence. This is evident in the lives of those whose journeys in Abia began as corps members and who have risen to prominent positions.
The current Head of Service of Abia State, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, an indigene of Edo State, first came to Abia as a corps member. His dedication earned him automatic employment, and through merit and integrity, he rose through the ranks until Governor Otti appointed him Head of Service in December 2024. He was sworn-in in January 2025.
Similarly, Mrs. Ekaette Oham from Akwa Ibom State also began her journey in Abia as a corps member. Today, she serves as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service.
These are not coincidences, they are proof that Abia under Governor Otti does not discriminate. Instead, it celebrates merit and rewards excellence, regardless of origin. It sends a clear message to every corps member: In Abia, your service year can be the beginning of a lifelong career.
Beyond welfare, the Governor’s commitment is evident in infrastructure improvements. The NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende, once neglected and dilapidated, has been completely transformed.
The camp now has solar powered streetlights, renovated hostels, a functional kitchen, and steady water supply. Though it is a federal facility, Governor Otti took full responsibility because, in his words, “Every institution in Abia serves Abians.”
That statement reflects his leadership philosophy, one built on responsibility, not excuses.
Today, a new chapter is unfolding in Abia. The state that corps members once feared to serve in is now generating excitement and optimism. Governor Otti’s unprecedented allowance review has rekindled confidence among young Nigerians.
Abia is no longer seen as a “hardship post,” but increasingly as a “land of opportunity.”
