Zamfara State Government Announces Significant NYSC Allowance Increases
In a move that has generated widespread jubilation among youth corps members, the Zamfara State government under Governor Dauda Lawal has implemented substantial increases to monthly allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving within the state. The announcement came during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch A Stream One corps members held in Gusau, the state capital.
Enhanced Allowance Structure for Corps Members
The most significant increase targets medical doctors serving in the NYSC program, who will now receive a monthly allowance of N150,000 from the state government. This represents a substantial boost to their compensation package and has been welcomed as a major incentive for healthcare professionals serving in Zamfara.
Governor Lawal, who leads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state, also announced that other health professionals within the NYSC scheme would receive N50,000 monthly as a state allowance. Furthermore, all corps members posted to educational institutions, ministries, departments, and agencies across Zamfara will benefit from a N20,000 monthly state allowance.
Governor's Commitment to Welfare and Security
Represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Tasi'u Shinkafi, Governor Lawal emphasized that the welfare and security of NYSC members remain paramount priorities for his administration. He assured corps members of adequate security measures and a conducive working environment throughout their service year.
The governor explained that the state government has collaborated closely with NYSC management and security agencies to implement comprehensive safety protocols for all corps members deployed to Zamfara. This reassurance comes at a critical time when security challenges have prompted some prospective corps members to avoid orientation camps in certain regions of Nigeria.
Broader Context of NYSC Reforms and Challenges
The allowance increases in Zamfara occur against a backdrop of broader discussions about the NYSC scheme's relevance and safety. Across Nigeria, growing insecurity has led some young graduates to express concerns about participating in the mandatory one-year service program, citing fears of kidnapping, bandit attacks, and highway ambushes while traveling to their places of primary assignment.
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced plans for a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC program, including the establishment of a N2 billion Innovation Fund designed to make the 52-year-old scheme more relevant to contemporary economic demands. Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, recently stated that the NYSC Act, last reviewed in 1993, requires substantial updating to meet current needs.
NYSC's Empowerment Initiatives
Separately, the NYSC management has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to enhance empowerment opportunities for corps members nationwide. The partnership focuses on the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, which has trained and supported thousands of corps members in establishing sustainable businesses.
NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu expressed confidence that this collaboration continues to yield tangible economic benefits for participating youth. Governor Lawal similarly encouraged new corps members to actively engage in orientation camp activities to better understand the NYSC scheme's objectives and opportunities.
The allowance increases in Zamfara represent a significant investment in youth development and healthcare services within the state, potentially setting a precedent for other state governments to enhance support for corps members serving their communities.
