The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has projected that the number of graduates mobilised for national service annually could rise to between 500,000 and 600,000 within the next three to five years, raising concerns over the capacity of orientation camps across the country.
The Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while addressing the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Nafiu said the Scheme mobilised approximately 400,000 graduates last year, while the figure increased to about 450,000 this year, representing an additional 50,000 Corps Members.
He attributed the accommodation challenges in some orientation camps to the steady rise in mobilisation figures, which he said had placed considerable pressure on existing infrastructure and resources.
According to him, the projected increase in the number of graduates participating in the scheme makes it imperative for the NYSC to expand its facilities and improve its capacity to accommodate prospective Corps Members.
The NYSC chief explained that although the Federal Government was committed to addressing the infrastructure challenges, providing additional facilities required substantial funding and time, particularly in view of competing national priorities, including security, education and road construction.
He noted that responsibility for maintaining and expanding orientation camps was shared between the Federal and State Governments, stressing that the camps were owned by state governments, which were expected to provide necessary infrastructure and support.
Nafiu said the Scheme was engaging relevant state governments to encourage the expansion of existing facilities and address accommodation deficits.
He also apologised to Corps Members over the accommodation challenges and discomfort experienced at the Ogun State Orientation Camp, assuring them that the NYSC would continue to engage relevant authorities to improve their welfare.
The Director-General commended states that had demonstrated commitment to improving their orientation camp facilities, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would produce better results.
He said the Scheme would also review its planning projections and make more comprehensive provisions for future mobilisation exercises in anticipation of the rising number of graduates.
Addressing the Corps Members on their responsibilities during the service year, Nafiu urged them to remain patriotic, disciplined and committed to national unity.
He cautioned against using social media to spread misinformation, promote division or undermine national cohesion, urging the young graduates to deploy their education and influence towards building a peaceful and prosperous country.
He encouraged them to embrace opportunities to contribute to national development, irrespective of their professional backgrounds or places of primary assignment.
The NYSC boss reminded them that the scheme was established to prepare young Nigerians for leadership and responsible citizenship, urging them to demonstrate dedication and selflessness in serving their host communities.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Omolabake Adewuyi, disclosed that 4,315 Corps Members had registered for the orientation exercise at the camp.
She said 3,834 were deployed to Ogun State, while the remaining 481, who were deployed to Lagos State, were temporarily accommodated in Ogun for the orientation exercise and 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 increase accommodation capacity and improve facilities for future orientation exercises.
