The best states to enjoy your service as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), is a popular question among Prospective Corps Members (PCMs).
This question, however, is not surprising as no one wishes to suffer for the one-year duration of his/her service.
It is also essential to know the best service states as every Prospective Corp Member during their NYSC online registration would be required to select any four states of their choice.
As usual, one cannot get it all in one state. Some states might pay well but have a high level of insecurity, some are very peaceful but have a very high cost of living, while others may have both good security and good infrastructures as well.
Therefore, prospective Corp Members need to carefully gather information to help their choice of states to serve in.
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Best NYSC Service States
The following states have been ranked as the best states to serve in and the reasons why are properly discussed in this article.
The following are factors to consider in choosing best states to enjoy your service year:
- Amount paid to corpers by their state government.
- Cost of living in the state.
- Testimonies of corpers.
- Distance away from home.
- Presence of infrastructures
- Job opportunities in the state.
- Security of the state.
1. Lagos State: 
The top ten states to enjoy your service year are as follows:
Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and is one of the best states to enjoy your NYSC service. One challenge is that it is a very competitive state and getting a spot in Lagos can be likened to gambling, so one should not get his/her hopes high.
Staying in Lagos isn’t cheap, with a very high cost of living and accommodation super expensive, huge transportation issues and feeding costs expensive as well.
The one compensation for the high cost of living is that Lagos offers significantly higher job opportunities than most states in Nigeria and that is what attracts corpers the most.
It is the home and headquarters of most of the best companies in Nigeria including, telecommunication giants, food companies, research institutes, etc.
Apart from the fact that Lagos city is the most developed city in Nigeria if one can tap into the numerous resources available they can as well make extra money in their service year.
Corp members need not worry about kidnappings, bombings, or any major security concern, as the only rampant crimes are petty ones like pick-pocketing in crowded.
Aside from the Federal government NYSC monthly allowance which is currently ₦33,000, the Lagos state government pays corps members in ministries the sum of ₦10,000 monthly while Corp members in Local government offices are paid ₦5,000.
As a Corp member in Lagos State, you get to earn an average of ₦30,000 per month at your Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
2. Abuja, FCT:
Abuja is a good place to serve especially if you’re from a middle-class family.
The cost of living, housing and transportation in Abuja are all very high. However, Abuja has one of the cheapest food markets in Nigeria since most of its indigenes are active farmers who grow yams and other crops.
As it is the nation’s capital, Abuja also has good roads, electricity and outstanding security, and provides its corp members with several job opportunities in NGOs, ministries, private firms, etc.
Although Abuja doesn’t pay corp members and has a high cost of living, many corpers want to serve there because of how easy it is to gain reasonable connections from politicians and other high government officials.
One can even find a lucrative job during his/her service year as most companies pay high salaries and allowances to corps members.
3. Akwa Ibom State:
Akwa Ibom is arguably the most developed state in Nigeria after Abuja and Lagos. And anyone who serves in Akwa Ibom state will definitely fall in love with the place.
Akwa Ibom is very safe with low crime rates and feeding is very cheap too. The cost of transportation is also very cheap, housing costs are reasonable, and the lifestyle is wonderful.
The indigenes of Akwa Ibom are highly hospitable and love corps members a lot. Truly Akwa Ibom is a very beautiful place to stay.
Akwa Ibom state government pays corpers ₦5,000 monthly, which starts immediately after camping to help them go to their various PPAs before their service year officially begins.
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4. Ogun State:
Ogun State is situated in the southwestern part of Nigeria.
Most areas in Ogun State including Abeokuta has several beautiful houses at affordable rates, extremely cheap food, transport fare within reasonable prices and security is tight.
There are quite a number of job opportunities for corpers in Ogun State as it is home to some of the biggest companies and factories in Nigeria.
Ogun State Government pays ₦5,000 to corp members monthly, which is fair compared to what other states pay. Going for service early also gives you the opportunity to get posted to companies rather than schools.
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5. Kano State:
Kano is one of the major cities and a prominent commercial hub in Nigeria. And currently, it is relatively peaceful.
It is also one of the best northern states NYSC corp members will enjoy living in should they end up there.
Things are cheap in Kano and the cost of living is fairly affordable too, making it a major attraction to most corpers as they can save most of their allowance.
Kano has more industries than any other state in Northern Nigeria, which provides job opportunities for both corps members and those who choose to stay back after their service year.
Kano State Government pays corpers ₦5,000 monthly, making it the best northern state for NYSC.
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6. Enugu State:
Enugu is one of the fieriest states in Eastern Nigeria in terms of job opportunities and lifestyle.
It is relatively peaceful, food is cheap, low crime rate, good road network, transportation is fair, and security is tight. People in the state are also very kind to strangers.
However, one problem Enugu residents face is the lack of water. Although this is not the case everywhere, most areas suffer from this due to their mountainous terrain.
As a result, it is quite tricky to drill a borehole making it a challenge to get water.
Enugu State government pays corpers serving in the urban area of the state ₦1,000 per month and ₦4,000 to those serving in the rural areas.
7. Cross River State:
Cross river is one of the most beautiful states in Nigeria with its variety of sweet local delicacies, rich culture, affordable transportation fares, cheap food, good security, sound roads, and fair accommodation cost.
Its capital, Calabar, is also one of the best tourist centres in the country and a very fun place to be or visit.
If you are in the state during the Christmas celebration, you would surely be in for a treat as you’ll witness the biggest cultural carnival in Nigeria.
Cross River is also a state with many job opportunities, particularly for those who studied maritime or transport-related courses.
Cross River State government pays ₦3,000 to corp members monthly.
8. Anambra State:
Anambra is the state with one of the highest allowances paid from a state government to corp members.
The state is home to one of the largest markets in West Africa (Main Market, Onitsha), so the cost of food is relatively cheap.
Accommodation and transportation in Anambra are quite affordable but insecurity (mostly in Onitsha) is a very big issue. Therefore, anyone who stays around Onitsha has to be very careful.
Because of the presence of the large market, notorious thieves and pickpockets are quite rampant too. There is also the possibility you may get outsmarted or sold fake products if you’re not an indigene, smart or understand their language.
Although the security in Onitsha is poor, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t serve there. Other major towns like Awka and Nnewi are quite safe and pleasant to live in.
As a corp member in Anambra, you’re more likely to get posted to schools for your primary assignment. If you’re business-oriented, you can start spotting opportunities during your service year there.
Anambra State government pays corp members ₦9,000, which is much more than other states except Lagos State.
9. Rivers State:
Rivers State is known for its many excellent Local Government areas where one could enjoy his/her service year.
Its capital, Port Harcourt, is one of the finest cities in the country. Port Harcourt is a good and enjoyable place to serve primarily if have a striving spirit and mentality.
One can also get the cheapest seafood in the country in Port Harcourt. The cost of living, housing, transportation and security depends on the area of the state you’re staying in.
There is also a wide range of opportunities present in Rivers State. If you do your service in Port Harcourt, you might just end up serving in a big oil company.
For some years now, the Rivers State government have stopped paying corp members serving with state-owned institutions, schools and ministries.
So, while the possibility of getting extra money is quite low, one should be able to secure a good job with smartness and coordination.
10. Niger State:
Niger State is arguably the most secure state in Northern Nigeria.
If you’re looking for a place to serve and get out without drama then Niger State is the perfect place for you.
Niger State has cheap housing, food, transportation and stable hydro-powered electricity because of the presence of the Kainji Dam in the state.
There isn’t much to expect, however, from the state in regard to job opportunities and you’re likely to be posted to a public or private school as PPA.
Niger State government pays ₦5,000 to their corp members monthly.
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Conclusion
Every state in Nigeria is good for service and we only listed some of the best. So, no matter where you are posted, you can still make the best out of it during your one-year service.
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