By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has attributed accommodation shortages in some orientation camps across the country to the rising number of graduates mobilised annually for the national service programme.
Nafiu disclosed that the Scheme mobilised approximately 400,000 prospective Corps Members last year, while the figure increased to about 450,000 this year, representing an additional 50,000 graduates.
According to an official statement signed by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the 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 projected that annual mobilisation could rise to between 500,000 and 600,000 within the next three to five years, warning that the increasing figures would place further pressure on the Scheme’s existing infrastructure, particularly accommodation facilities in orientation camps.
The NYSC boss explained that although the Federal Government was committed to addressing the challenges, expanding camp infrastructure required substantial financial resources and time, especially amid competing national priorities, including security, education, road construction and other critical development projects.
He noted that responsibility for maintaining and expanding orientation camps was shared between the Federal Government and State Governments, adding that the camps were owned by the respective state governments, which were expected to provide the necessary infrastructure and support for their effective operation.
Nafiu disclosed that the Scheme was engaging relevant state governments to encourage the expansion of existing facilities and address accommodation deficits.
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 make more extensive provisions to cater for future increases in mobilisation.
The Director-General commended state governments that had demonstrated commitment to improving facilities in their orientation camps, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would produce better results.
He also apologised to Corps Members for the accommodation challenges and discomfort experienced at the Ogun State Orientation Camp, assuring them that the Scheme would continue engaging relevant authorities to improve their welfare.
On their responsibilities during the service year, Nafiu 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, stressing that educated young Nigerians should deploy their knowledge and influence towards building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
The NYSC chief executive encouraged them to embrace opportunities 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 their duties across schools, hospitals, engineering establishments, agricultural centres and other sectors requiring their services.
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.
Earlier, the Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Omolabake Adewuyi, disclosed that 4,315 Corps Members had been registered for the orientation exercise.
She explained that 3,834 were deployed to Ogun State, while the remaining 481, who were originally 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 after 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 said electricity and water supplies had been efficient, creating a conducive environment for Corps Members to participate actively in the orientation activities.
The State Coordinator also revealed that construction of an additional hostel block was ongoing at the camp to expand its accommodation capacity and improve facilities for subsequent orientation exercises.
