Abuja, June 1, 2026 — Corps members serving in the Federal Capital Territory have raised concerns over the high cost of transportation, housing difficulties and increasing feeding expenses, which they say are affecting their service year experience.
The corps members shared their experiences in separate interviews on Monday in Abuja, highlighting the economic pressures they currently face under the National Youth Service Corps programme.
One of them, Grace David, said a large portion of her monthly allowance is spent on daily transport, leaving little for other needs.
“The money I receive from both the government and my place of primary assignment is not enough to cover transport, food and accommodation,” she said.
Another corps member, Dorathy Samuel, explained that she spends about N3,000 daily on commuting between her residence and workplace.
“Most of my income goes into transportation, and by the end of the month, there is barely anything left,” she said, urging authorities to consider reviewing corps members’ allowances in line with current economic realities.
Also speaking, Esther Ekwe noted that many participants in the programme are struggling with accommodation and commuting costs while serving in the city.
Despite these challenges, the corps members described the national service year as a rewarding experience that promotes cultural exchange, personal growth and professional development.
Ekwe said her deployment to Abuja has exposed her to diverse cultures and improved her interaction with people from different parts of the country.
She added that working in the city has also contributed positively to her photography career, giving her access to experienced professionals and improving her technical skills.
According to her, “Even with the challenges of accommodation and transport, being around experienced professionals in photography has helped me improve in video and photo editing.”
David also said her posting to the FCT has helped her build confidence, improve her teaching ability and enhance her communication skills with children and colleagues.
Samuel, on her part, said she was glad to be posted to Abuja, describing the city as one with good infrastructure and opportunities for networking.
She added that the experience has strengthened her organisational ability and improved her professional communication skills.
Overall, the corps members said that while the financial pressures remain significant, their service year in Abuja has contributed positively to their personal and career development.