Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rewarding excellence by promising automatic employment to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who distinguish themselves during their service year in Abia State.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, the Governor emphasized that merit remains the cornerstone of his administration’s recruitment policy.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Jane Maxwell Igwe, Otti noted that the state maintains a long-standing tradition of absorbing top-performing corps members into the public sector, citing the current Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere an indigene of Edo State who was retained after his own service year as a prime example of this practice in action.
This pledge follows the recent physical demonstration of the policy earlier in April 2026, where the Governor granted automatic employment and a cash gift of N500,000 each to two 2024 service year veterans, Solomon Abonyi and Esther Aderibigbe, for their significant contributions to the state’s socio-economic development.
Beyond the promise of jobs, the Governor assured the 1,820 newly deployed corps members of their safety and well-being, while urging them to shun indiscipline and embrace the state’s human capital development programs in sectors like ICT, entrepreneurship, and agriculture.
He further announced that the state is embarking on the second phase of rehabilitation at the orientation camp, including improvements to the parade ground, roads, and perimeter fencing, to ensure a conducive environment for the young professionals. By prioritizing performance over state of origin or political affiliation, the administration aims to transform Abia into a hub that attracts and retains the best young talents in Nigeria.
