By ANGEL NWOKOCHA, Staff Reporter, Abuja
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has attributed the accommodation shortfall in some orientation camps across the country to the steady increase in the number of graduates mobilised for national service annually.
The NYSC chief said the rising corps members’ population has adverse effect on the camp facilities across the orientation camps in the country.
He disclosed that the Scheme mobilised approximately 400,000 prospective Corps Members last year, while the figure rose to about 450,000 this year, representing an increase of 50,000.
General Nafiu, who stated this while addressing the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sagamu, Ogun State, projected that the annual mobilisation figure could rise to between 500,000 and 600,000 within the next three to five years.
He explained in a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, that the growing number of graduates seeking to participate in the national service programme had placed considerable pressure on the Scheme’s existing infrastructure and resources, particularly accommodation facilities in orientation camps.
The DG noted that although the Federal Government was committed to addressing the challenges, the provision of additional infrastructure required substantial financial resources and time, especially in view of competing national priorities such as security, education, road construction and other critical development projects.
He emphasised that the responsibility for maintaining and expanding orientation camps was shared between the Federal Government and State Governments, noting that the camps were owned by the respective State Governments, which were expected to provide the necessary infrastructure and support for their effective operation.
General Nafiu disclosed that the Scheme was engaging relevant state governments to encourage them to expand existing facilities and address accommodation deficits in their respective orientation camps.
He added that the increasing mobilisation figures had made it necessary for the NYSC to review its planning projections and adopt more comprehensive measures to accommodate the growing number of graduates.
According to him, the Scheme had learnt valuable lessons from previous orientation exercises and would henceforth make more extensive provisions to cater for possible increases in the number of Corps Members.
The NYSC boss also commended State Governments that had demonstrated commitment to improving facilities in their orientation camps, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would yield better results.
He apologised to the Corps Members for the accommodation challenges and attendant discomfort experienced at the Ogun State Orientation Camp, assuring them that the Scheme would continue to engage relevant authorities to improve their welfare.
Addressing the Corps Members on their responsibilities during the service year, General Nafiu urged them to remain patriotic, disciplined and committed to national unity.
He cautioned them against using social media to spread misinformation, promote division or undermine the unity of the country, stressing that educated young Nigerians should deploy their knowledge and influence towards building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
The Director-General encouraged them to embrace every opportunity to contribute to national development, irrespective of their professional backgrounds or places of primary assignment.
He urged them to demonstrate dedication, selflessness and commitment in the discharge of their duties, whether in schools, hospitals, engineering establishments, agricultural centres or other areas of national need.
General Nafiu reminded them that the NYSC programme was designed to prepare young Nigerians for leadership and responsible citizenship, urging them to make meaningful contributions to the development of their host communities.
He thanked the Corps Members for their understanding and patience, assuring them of the Scheme’s continued commitment to improving their service experience.
The Ogun State Coordinator, Mrs. Omolabake Adewuyi, disclosed that a total of 4,315 Corps Members had been registered for the orientation exercise at the camp.
She explained that 3,834 of them were deployed to Ogun State, while the remaining 481, who were deployed to Lagos State, had been dislodged to Ogun for the orientation exercise. They would proceed to their respective places of primary assignment in Lagos upon completion of the exercise.
Adewuyi further disclosed that adequate security personnel had been deployed within and around the camp to ensure the safety of Corps Members, camp officials and visitors.
She also reported that electricity and water supplies had been efficient, thereby creating a conducive environment and boosting the morale of Corps Members to participate actively in the various activities lined up for the orientation exercise.
The State Coordinator added that construction of an additional hostel block was ongoing at the camp to expand its accommodation capacity and improve facilities for Corps Members during subsequent orientation exercises.
