Umo Eno Approves ₦20,000 Monthly Allowance for Akwa Ibom NYSC Members Nationwide

In a powerful show of youth support, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved a ₦20,000 monthly allowance for all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of Akwa Ibom origin serving anywhere across Nigeria.

The groundbreaking initiative, announced after a recent State Executive Council meeting, is set to begin on August 1, 2025.

This move marks a significant shift from previous policy, which limited the state allowance to corps members serving within Akwa Ibom alone.

With this new approval, every NYSC member from Akwa Ibom—regardless of where they are posted nationwide—will now enjoy the ₦20,000 top-up from their home state government.

The gesture forms part of the governor’s ARISE Agenda and the newly launched ARISE Youth Support Initiative, which seeks to support Akwa Ibom’s young population and provide financial cushioning in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

According to government officials, the monthly allowance is in addition to the Federal Government’s NYSC stipend, currently set at ₦77,000.

“This is not just a welfare policy,” Governor Eno stated. “It’s a statement that Akwa Ibom believes in its youths—whether they are serving here at home or representing us in other parts of Nigeria.”

In addition to the financial package, the governor also approved the complete reconstruction of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ikot Itie Idung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area.

The upgrade is expected to modernize the facility and improve training conditions for incoming corps members.

Reactions have poured in from across the country, with many lauding the decision as both visionary and timely.

At a time when many corps members struggle with relocation costs, accommodation, and feeding in unfamiliar environments, a monthly ₦20,000 boost could go a long way.

Analysts have also suggested that Governor Eno’s move may prompt a wave of similar initiatives from other state governments, especially in the South-South and South-East regions where youth engagement and welfare are hot-button issues heading into 2027.

“This is leadership,” said one NYSC official in Abuja. “It sets a precedent and shows what is possible when state governments truly care about their own.”

As the policy comes into effect in August, thousands of Akwa Ibom youths currently serving in places like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja will begin receiving the allowance directly—provided they are properly registered with the state’s youth affairs bureau.

With this bold initiative, Umo Eno has not only scored political points but also positioned Akwa Ibom as a beacon of youth-centered governance in Nigeria’s current socio-economic climate.

From Lasgidi to Maiduguri, Akwa Ibom’s children will now feel the warm hands of home — no matter where service calls them.