The growing number of Nigerian graduates mobilised for national service is putting increasing pressure on NYSC orientation camps across the country, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has said.
Nafiu disclosed that the NYSC mobilised about 400,000 prospective Corps Members last year, but the figure rose to approximately 450,000 this year—an increase of 50,000.
Addressing members of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun State, the Director-General projected that annual mobilisation could reach between 500,000 and 600,000 within the next three to five years.
He said the surge had placed significant strain on existing infrastructure, particularly accommodation facilities in orientation camps.
According to him, expanding the camps would require substantial funding and time, especially as the Federal Government continues to prioritise security, education, road construction and other critical development projects.
Nafiu explained that responsibility for maintaining and expanding the camps was shared between the Federal and State Governments.
Since the camps are owned by state governments, he urged them to provide the infrastructure and support needed to accommodate the rising number of Corps Members.
He disclosed that the NYSC was engaging state governments to expand existing facilities and address accommodation shortages.
The Scheme, he added, would also review its planning projections and make more comprehensive preparations for future increases in mobilisation.
The Director-General apologised to Corps Members for the discomfort caused by accommodation challenges at the Ogun camp, assuring them that the NYSC would continue working with relevant authorities to improve their welfare.
A total of 4,315 Corps Members are participating in the orientation exercise at the camp.
Of that number, 3,834 were deployed to Ogun State, while 481 Corps Members deployed to Lagos were temporarily accommodated in Ogun and will proceed to their places of primary assignment in Lagos after the exercise.
The Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Omolabake Adewuyi, said security personnel had been deployed within and around the camp. She added that electricity and water supplies had remained efficient throughout the exercise.
Adewuyi also disclosed that construction of an additional hostel block was ongoing to expand the camp’s accommodation capacity ahead of future orientation exercises.
Nafiu urged the Corps Members to remain patriotic, disciplined and committed to national unity.
He cautioned them against using social media to spread misinformation or promote division, encouraging them instead to use their knowledge and influence to support national development.
He reminded them that the NYSC programme was designed to prepare young Nigerians for leadership and responsible citizenship, urging them to serve diligently in schools, hospitals, farms, engineering establishments and other areas of national need.