Akwa Ibom Increases Corps Members’ Allowance by 300%, Outpaces State Minimum Wage

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced a significant boost in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state, raising it from N5,000 to N20,000. This 300 percent increase, which took effect following an announcement at the State Delivery Meeting in Uyo, is part of broader efforts to support young Nigerians serving in the state and improve their welfare.

The new state allowance, combined with the federal government’s recent increase to N77,000, brings the total monthly pay for corps members in Akwa Ibom to N97,000—surpassing the state’s current N80,000 minimum wage for civil servants.

Governor Eno stated that the decision was in recognition of the corps members’ contributions to the state’s development and in line with his administration’s commitment to encouraging and supporting young professionals. “Over 10,000 corps members are posted to Akwa Ibom annually. We must continue to encourage and support them,” he said, according to a statement posted on the state government’s official Facebook page.

In addition to the allowance hike, the governor has also approved the reconstruction of the NYSC Orientation Camp located at Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area. This, he said, is part of the administration’s wider initiative to upgrade infrastructure and enhance the living conditions of corps members during their service year.

The NYSC scheme, a one-year mandatory service for Nigerian graduates, is backed by federal law and designed to promote national integration. Over the years, the federal government has progressively increased the allowance paid to corps members—from N19,800 to N33,000 and now to N77,000 as of March this year, following last year’s approval.

Akwa Ibom’s latest move positions it among the top states in terms of corps member welfare, offering a combined monthly pay that sets a new standard for both public and private employers engaging youth corps members.