NYSC Allowance Calculator 2026
Pick your state — see your full monthly income (federal + state allowance + typical PPA stipend) and what's left after cost of living. Updated for the ₦77,000 federal allowance.
Monthly breakdown
That's 29% of your total income.
Best NYSC states for take-home pay
Federal + state + typical PPA, minus cost of living
See all 37 ↓
How NYSC pay works in 2026
Every NYSC corps member earns three layers of income:
- Federal Allowance — ₦77,000/month. Paid by the Federal Government to every serving corps member, regardless of state. Up from ₦33,000 since the new minimum wage in 2024–2025.
- State Allowance — varies by state, ₦0 to ₦20,000/month. Paid by some state governments on top of the federal amount. Rivers pays the most (₦20,000); Lagos pays ₦15,000; FCT pays nothing. Most northern states pay nothing.
- PPA Stipend — varies by employer. Many places of primary assignment (especially banks, oil companies, NGOs, and federal ministries in Lagos and Abuja) pay an additional stipend. Could be ₦5,000 in a small town or ₦50,000 at a top-tier Lagos bank.
Best NYSC states for corpers in 2026
Use the ranking above to see how your state compares. The "best" state for income depends on three factors at once:
- What the state pays directly (Rivers and Lagos lead)
- What your PPA pays (FCT and Lagos lead because of corporate PPAs)
- Cost of living (Lagos and FCT cost the most; northern states cost the least)
A corper in Sokoto earning ₦77,000 federal alone can save more per month than a corper in Lagos earning ₦92,000 + PPA, because rent and food cost half as much. The ranking tool above factors all three in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ₦77,000 paid every month on time?
Generally yes, between the 25th and 30th of each month. The first payment usually arrives at the end of orientation camp. Delays of 1–2 weeks happen occasionally due to administrative issues — don't budget assuming exact dates.
Do NYSC corps members pay income tax (PAYE)?
No. ₦77,000/month is ₦924,000/year. With pension and NHF deductions, your chargeable income falls below the ₦800,000 tax-free threshold under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. NYSC stipends are effectively tax-free.
Can I work a side job during NYSC?
Officially no, but in practice many corps members do remote freelance work, run small businesses, or take on tutoring/consultancy. As long as it doesn't interfere with your PPA attendance and CDS, enforcement is minimal.
Do state allowances actually get paid?
Mixed. Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, and Enugu pay reliably. Some states announce increases that never materialise (Abia recently announced ₦50,000 but corps members reported no payments). Always treat state allowance as a bonus, not your foundation.
How accurate is the cost-of-living estimate?
It's an average for a corper sharing accommodation, with modest food and transport budgets. If you're in private accommodation in Lekki or Maitama, expect 1.5–2× the figure shown. If you're in NYSC lodge with shared meals, expect 0.5×. Use it as a relative comparison between states, not an exact prediction.