Gov. Otti Approves 1150% NYSC Allowance Increase, Implements CONHESS For Health Workers In Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has approved a landmark 1,150 percent increase in monthly allowances for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state, the first major adjustment in nearly three decades.

Under the new policy, Corps Members serving in Abia will now receive a base monthly allowance of ₦20,000, up from the long-standing ₦4,000. Those attached to state government establishments will earn an additional ₦10,000, while teaching and medical personnel will receive ₦30,000 extra, reflecting the administration’s strategic push to strengthen education and healthcare delivery through manpower motivation.

This is in addition to the Federal Government’s ₦77,000 monthly NYSC allowance, bringing total earnings for some Corps Members to over ₦100,000.

Governor Otti said the review underscores his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, meritocracy, and workforce development. “The New Abia values service. Investing in talent is not just about today it’s about building a future anchored on competence and productivity,” he emphasized.

The governor’s gesture comes alongside a series of interventions at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area, including renovations of dilapidated facilities, road rehabilitation, installation of power infrastructure, and the provision of logistics support. Despite being a Federal Government-owned facility, Otti has consistently maintained that “any institution or infrastructure within Abia, whether federal or state-owned, deserves attention, because it is Abians who benefit.”

Highlighting the significance of investing in human capital, Otti cited success stories like that of Mr. Benson Ojeikere, a former Corps Member from Edo State who rose through the ranks to become Abia’s Head of Service, as a model of the administration’s belief in merit-based advancement.

In a related development, the governor also implemented the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers across the state and recently extended it to local government areas. This reform brings Abia’s healthcare workforce in line with federal standards, boosting morale and ensuring fair compensation.

Both policies form part of Otti’s broader vision to build institutional capacity in critical sectors. With about 35 percent of Abia’s 2025 budget dedicated to education and health, the administration is laying a strong foundation for a world-class public service system.

According to Citizen Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, these measures reaffirm Otti’s mission to create a “New Abia” where service is rewarded, excellence is promoted, and governance is people-centered.