Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has doubled the monthly allowance paid to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 to ease the financial pressure on corps members amid current economic hardship.
Aliyu announced the 100 per cent increase on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream II corps members at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, College of Administration, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto. He said the increase would take immediate effect as a temporary measure while a committee reviews the allowances of corps members serving in the state.
The governor also announced a donation of ₦30,000 to each corps member currently in the orientation camp and directed the supply of five cows daily to support their feeding throughout the orientation exercise.
In addition, he donated a brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicle to the NYSC to improve its supervision activities, particularly in areas with difficult terrain.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aliyu said the state government had set up a committee to review the allowances paid to corps members but decided to increase the monthly payment immediately to improve their welfare.
“I have formed a committee to review the state allowances of all corps members serving in Sokoto State, but for now, I have increased the allowance from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for all serving corps members,” he said.
He added that the donation of the Toyota Hilux followed a request by the NYSC State Coordinator to support effective supervision.
“More so, for all the corps members presently in the camp, the government is donating ₦30,000 for each of you to reduce the burden of your daily needs in the camp,” the governor said.
Aliyu described the NYSC scheme as an important tool for promoting national integration, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
He also disclosed that the state government had spent more than ₦1 billion on renovating and upgrading the permanent NYSC orientation camp in Wamakko Local Government Area, adding that the project was about 90 per cent complete.
The governor assured corps members of his administration’s commitment to their security and welfare. He also urged employers, government agencies and ministries not to reject corps members posted to their establishments.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Tyoyer Gabriel, commended the governor for his continued support for the scheme and the welfare of corps members.
Gabriel expressed confidence that Aliyu would receive recognition as the most NYSC-friendly governor, citing his contributions to the scheme.
He also appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for his support, particularly his provision of bulls for corps members during every orientation exercise and awards to the two best-performing corps members at each passing-out parade.
The coordinator further acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Man O’ War, other paramilitary agencies and philanthropists to the success of the orientation camp.
Gabriel disclosed that 2,100 corps members had been deployed to Sokoto State, with 1,523 already admitted into the orientation camp. The figure comprised 811 males and 712 females.
He added that the registration portal would remain open until Monday to allow more corps members to complete their registration.
The Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Justice Saidu Sifawa, represented by Justice Muhammad Sambo, administered the oath of allegiance to the corps members.
