Rising Corps Population Puts Pressure on NYSC Camp Facilities – DG

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has attributed accommodation challenges in some orientation camps across the country to the increasing number of graduates mobilised annually for the national service programme.

Nafiu disclosed that the Scheme mobilised about 400,000 prospective Corps Members in 2025, while the figure increased to approximately 450,000 in 2026, representing an additional 50,000 graduates.

He warned that the annual mobilisation figure could rise to between 500,000 and 600,000 within the next three to five years, putting further pressure on existing facilities and resources.

The NYSC Director-General made this known while addressing the 2026 Batch 'C' Stream II Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun State.

He explained that the growing number of graduates participating in the scheme had overstretched available infrastructure, particularly accommodation facilities in orientation camps across the country.

According to him, although the Federal Government remains committed to addressing the challenges, expanding camp infrastructure requires substantial financial resources and time, given competing national priorities, including security, education, road construction and other critical development projects.

Nafiu stressed that the responsibility for providing and maintaining orientation camp facilities was shared between the Federal and State Governments, noting that the camps were owned by their respective state governments.

He said the Scheme was engaging relevant state governments to encourage them to expand existing facilities and address accommodation deficits.

The Director-General added that the increasing mobilisation figures had necessitated a review of the Scheme's planning projections to ensure adequate preparations for future orientation exercises.

He also commended state governments that had demonstrated commitment to improving their orientation camp facilities, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would produce better results.

Nafiu apologised to the Corps Members over the accommodation challenges and discomfort experienced at the Ogun State camp, assuring them that the NYSC would continue engaging relevant authorities to improve their welfare.

On their responsibilities during the service year, the Director-General urged the Corps Members to remain patriotic, disciplined and committed to national unity.

He cautioned them against using social media to spread misinformation, promote division or undermine national cohesion, urging the educated youths to deploy their knowledge and influence towards building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

He further encouraged them to embrace opportunities to contribute to national development, irrespective of their professional backgrounds or places of primary assignment.

The NYSC boss reminded the Corps Members that the scheme was designed to prepare young Nigerians for leadership and responsible citizenship, urging them to demonstrate dedication and selflessness in serving their host communities.

Earlier, the Ogun State Coordinator, Mrs. Omolabake Adewuyi, disclosed that 4,315 Corps Members had been registered for the orientation exercise.

She said 3,834 were deployed to Ogun State, while the remaining 481, who were originally deployed to Lagos State, had been temporarily accommodated in Ogun for the orientation exercise. They would proceed to their respective places of primary assignment in Lagos after the exercise.

Adewuyi added that adequate security personnel had been deployed within and around the camp to guarantee the safety of Corps Members, camp officials and visitors.

She also reported that electricity and water supplies had been efficient, providing a conducive environment for the orientation activities.

The State Coordinator further disclosed that construction of an additional hostel block was ongoing at the camp to expand its accommodation capacity and improve facilities for future orientation exercises.