NYSC: Nafiu laments lack of adequate accommodation for corps members at orientation camp
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has blamed the growing number of graduates mobilised for national service annually for the accommodation challenges facing some orientation camps across the country. Nafiu disclosed that the Scheme mobilised approximately 400,000 prospective Corps members in 2025, but the figure increased to about…
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has highlighted the shortage of accommodation at orientation camps for newly mobilised Corps members. He noted that the number of graduates enlisted for national service surged from 400,000 in 2025 to 450,000 in 2026, with an anticipated rise to between 500,000 and 600,000 over the next three to five years.
Nafiu made these remarks at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun State, during a meeting with 2026 Batch 'C' Stream II Corps members. He warned that these escalating figures would strain existing facilities, exacerbating accommodation challenges.
The Director-General attributed the accommodation crisis to the increasing numbers of Corps members and called for substantial government investment in security, education, road construction, and other vital development projects. Nafiu stressed that the maintenance and upgrading of orientation camps were a joint responsibility between the Federal and State Governments, as the facilities belonged to the respective states.
He emphasized that the NYSC was actively engaging states to expand existing facilities and address accommodation shortages.
Nafiu acknowledged that the rising number of Corps members necessitated a reassessment of planning strategies and the introduction of improved arrangements to manage future mobilisation exercises. He credited previous orientation programmes for providing valuable lessons and vowed to make more comprehensive preparations to accommodate the anticipated growth in participants.
The NYSC boss apologized for the accommodation difficulties faced by Corps members at the Ogun State camp, assuring them that the Scheme would work with relevant authorities to enhance their welfare. Nafiu urged Corps members to uphold patriotism, discipline, and national unity throughout their service year, cautioning against misinformation and division spread via social media.
He encouraged them to view their service year as an opportunity to contribute positively to the country, regardless of their professional qualifications or assignments.
Nafiu praised state governments for improving facilities in their orientation camps and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between different levels of government would lead to lasting improvements. He also revealed that the NYSC was constructing an additional hostel block at the Ogun State camp to increase accommodation capacity and enhance facilities for future orientation programmes.
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