*By Onyinyechi Obi*
According to Nelson Mandela, “To invest in youth is to believe in the future.” For many years, that belief seemed distant in Abia State. Though the state has always been rich in enterprise, culture, and resilience, its treatment of NYSC corps members told a different story. Poor welfare, minimal stipends, and decades of neglect made national service in Abia feel like a challenge to endure rather than an opportunity to embrace. Yet today, under the transformative leadership of Governor Alex Otti, that story is being rewritten to a story of recognition, motivation, and renewed hope for every corps member who chooses to serve in the state.
From the very beginning until recently, Abia offered no meaningful allowance to corps members. In the early 2000s, a small ₦4,000 monthly stipend was introduced, barely enough to cover transport, let alone rent or meals. For 27 long years, that figure remained unchanged, untouched through successive administrations, even as the cost of living soared and other states began offering supplementary support.
The message was clear, though unspoken: Abia appreciated national service in words but not in action. As a result, many corps members felt neglected. While their peers in other states enjoyed better welfare, those posted to Abia struggled to survive, especially in the education sector, where many were sent to rural schools with no housing, no transport, and no motivation.
Moreso, Abia became a state corps members prayed not to be sent to. “God, please, I hope I won’t be posted to Abia,” was a common joke among students awaiting their service posting. But behind the jokes were real worries, poor welfare killed morale, and passion faded. For most, service in Abia was something to endure, not enjoy.
All of that has now changed completely and decisively.
Under the transformative leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, Abia has not only corrected 27 years of neglect but has also set a new standard across Nigeria. In a move that surprised corps members and policy experts alike, Governor Otti approved a new base allowance of ₦20,000 for all corps members serving in the state.
Recognizing the vital roles corps members play in supporting key sectors of the state, Governor Otti also introduced sector-specific incentives: ₦10,000 extra for those serving in government establishments, and ₦30,000 additional for corps members deployed to schools and health facilities. This means a teacher or health corps member in Abia could now earn up to ₦50,000 monthly, in addition to the federal ₦77,000 allowance.
This bold step changed everything. The teaching jobs that corps members once avoided like a plague are now being taken with pride and excitement. The message is clear, Abia State now values service and rewards sacrifice.
This is more than policy; it is redemption. For the first time, a corps member teaching in Umuahia or Ohafia knows their work will be noticed and appreciated. Moreover, Abia now offers not just dignity, but real reward. No longer must corps members envy their peers in other states.
Nevertheless, Governor Otti’s vision extends beyond allowances, it is about shaping destinies and building legacies. The proof lies in the lives of those whose journeys began as corps members in Abia and have since risen to greatness.
The current Head of Service of Abia State, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, who hails from Edo State, first came to Abia as a corps member, where his dedication earned him automatic employment. Through hard work and integrity, he rose through the ranks until Governor Otti appointed him as Head of Service in December 2024, and 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 mere coincidences; they are proof that Abia State under Governor Otti does not discriminate. Instead, it celebrates merit and excellence, no matter where you come from. It tells every corps member: In Abia, your service year can be the start of a lifelong career.
Beyond welfare, the Governor’s commitment is visible in infrastructure and action. The NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende, once neglected and run-down, has been fully transformed. The camp now has solar-powered streetlights, renovated hostels, functional kitchens, and steady water supply. And even though it is a federal facility, the Governor took full responsibility because, in his words, “Every institution in Abia serves Abians.”
That statement sums up his philosophy, leadership that takes responsibility, not excuses.
Today, a new story is unfolding in Abia. The state that corps members once feared to serve in is now the one sparking excitement and hope. Governor Otti’s recent announcement of a groundbreaking allowance has ignited fresh confidence in the hearts of young Nigerians. Abia is already being seen not as a “hardship post,” but as a “place of opportunity.”
