Governor Umo Eno Grants ₦20,000 Monthly Allowance to NYSC Members in Akwa Ibom Revolutionary Act or Political Gimmick?
In what some are calling a groundbreaking policy and others dismiss as political showboating, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has announced a ₦20,000 monthly allowance for all NYSC members serving in the state. While many Nigerians have applauded the gesture as “pro-youth” and “compassionate,” a swelling chorus of critics insists it’s a populist move, possibly designed to score political points rather than build real change.
As expected, the internet is ablaze. On social media, the reactions range from praise to rage. For the corps members themselves, it’s a mixed feeling of joy and skepticism. And for the rest of the country? It’s a question of: “Is this the future of youth empowerment — or another tokenistic distraction?”
Let’s dive into what this policy means, why it’s causing a national stir, and whether it marks a turning point in the treatment of Nigeria’s ever-frustrated youth.
The Announcement: A Breakdown
Governor Umo Eno made the declaration during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Uyo, saying:
“As part of our commitment to youth development, every National Youth Service Corps member posted to Akwa Ibom will now receive an additional ₦20,000 monthly from the state government.”
The payment, he added, will come directly from the state’s coffers, separate from the federal allowance of ₦77,000. This brings the total monthly income of an NYSC member in Akwa Ibom to ₦97,000 a significant bump in a country where minimum wage still hovers around ₦70,000.
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Applause from NYSC Members and Youth Advocates
Unsurprisingly, NYSC members posted to Akwa Ibom are celebrating this development.
“Finally, a governor who sees us as humans, not just cheap labor in oversized khaki,” tweeted @CorperPeaceUyo.
“Even with inflation, this is a morale booster. I can now survive without calling home every week,” said Cynthia, a corps member serving in Oron LGA.
Youth organizations, civil society groups, and even some non-Akwa Ibom indigenes have praised Umo Eno for “putting his money where his mouth is.”
“In a time where young people feel abandoned, this is a bold investment,” said Joseph Effiong, coordinator of Youth Empowerment Network Africa.
But Here Comes the Controversy…
1. Is This Sustainable or Just Political Optics?
Critics have raised the alarm over the economic feasibility of the policy. Akwa Ibom has over 5,000 NYSC members posted annually. At ₦20,000 per head, that’s over ₦100 million monthly, or ₦1.2 billion annually money that could fund schools, hospitals, or job creation initiatives.
“Is this a financial empowerment scheme or a popularity contest?” asked Professor Tunde Alade, an economist at UNILAG.
“What happens when the oil revenue dips? Will this scheme survive a recession or change in government?”
2. Inequality Among States: A Divisive Precedent?
With most states struggling to pay even the federal allowance on time, this move creates a stark contrast in the NYSC experience across states.
Imagine:
- Akwa Ibom corps members earning ₦53,000 monthly
- Zamfara corps members begging for transport fare
- Borno corps members dodging bullets with zero state allowance
“NYSC is a national scheme. When one state pampers corps members while others neglect them, it breeds bitterness,” said a serving corps member in Kogi.
The Federal Government is yet to respond, but some insiders hint at tensions brewing within the Directorate of NYSC over “state inequality and potential disunity.”
3. Why NYSC, Not Akwa Ibom Youths?
This is perhaps the most controversial angle. Many indigenes of Akwa Ibom have questioned why the governor is prioritizing “visiting graduates” over jobless Akwa Ibom youth who aren’t even part of NYSC.
“We, the children of the soil, are still searching for work. But strangers get ₦20,000 because they wear a uniform? That’s an insult,” fumed Ubong James, a graduate living in Eket.
To these critics, the move reeks of political theatre a stunt designed to gain national media coverage, rather than solve long-standing unemployment in the state.
The Political Angle: 2027 Ambitions?
Observers are speculating that Governor Umo Eno may have federal political ambitions, and this policy is a calculated PR strategy.
“In Nigeria, governors don’t hand out free money without calculating the optics,” said political commentator Emmanuel Bassey.
Already, the governor has gained traction among youth voters on Twitter, and youth groups in other states are demanding their governors “do like Akwa Ibom.”
Some analysts predict Umo Eno may be positioning himself as a youth-favorite candidate for a future Vice Presidential ticket or federal appointment.
The Real Impact: Will This Change NYSC or Not?
Let’s look at what this policy may realistically achieve:
Short-Term:
- NYSC members will be more motivated to serve in Akwa Ibom.
- The state may see a boost in volunteerism, community engagement, and positive PR.
- Corps members will be less likely to seek relocation, increasing service completion rates in the state.
Long-Term Risks:
- If not managed transparently, the fund could become another vehicle for corruption.
- Future governors may abolish the scheme, leading to mass disappointment.
- Other states may be pressured into copycat policies they can’t afford.
Social Media Erupts
The news went viral under hashtags like:
- #AkwaIbom20K
- #UmoEnoTheYouthGov
- #OtherStatesWakeUp
Some reactions included:
“If my state governor doesn’t match this energy, I’m tearing my NYSC call-up letter.” @NaijaCorperLagos
“Umo Eno just exposed every other lazy Nigerian governor. Youths deserve more.” @ChiomaReports
“Akwa Ibom is giving 20k, meanwhile in Bauchi, we’re fighting over garri in the camp kitchen.” @ZamCorper
Voices of the People: Akwa Ibom Speaks
While the national conversation rages, what do ordinary Akwa Ibom citizens think?
IN SUPPORT:
“I support the governor. It attracts educated young people to our state. Maybe they’ll stay and invest.”
Mercy Udo, businesswoman in Uyo.
“It gives us pride. Akwa Ibom is always first in good things.”
Etim Bassey, retired civil servant.
AGAINST:
“Why give strangers money when our own graduates are unemployed?”
Ekaette Asuquo, schoolteacher.
“NYSC is just one year. What happens after that? They still join the jobless queue.”
David Okon, artisan.
NYSC as a National Debate: Reform or Scrap?
Governor Umo Eno’s policy has reignited the old debate: What is the point of NYSC in 2025?
With rising insecurity, low stipends, poor accommodation, and mounting resentment, many argue that NYSC needs:
- A full restructuring
- Better compensation nationwide
- Targeted vocational training
- Or even complete abolishment
Ironically, Umo Eno may have exposed not just the economic gap among states, but the brokenness of the NYSC itself.
WhatsnextNG Thoughts: Smart Leadership or Strategic Distraction?
Governor Umo Eno’s ₦20,000 allowance policy is either:
- A masterclass in youth-inclusive governance
- Or a well-branded distraction from deeper systemic issues
Either way, it’s working. He’s got national attention, NYSC goodwill, and a reputation boost — all while shining an embarrassing spotlight on other governors doing far less with far more.
The real test will be sustainability. If he can fund it long-term, expand youth programs, and bring real jobs to both indigenes and visitors then Akwa Ibom may have started something historic.
But if this turns into another headline-chasing, politically expedient, flash-in-the-pan stunt, then Nigerian youths will remember it as just another moment of hope… that vanished faster than their NYSC posting letters.
