An increase in the number of prospective corps members deployed to the state of Ogun has led to overcrowding at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Sagamu, according to the Ogun State Government.
The public was outraged when a video surfaced showing potential corps members slumbering in the Five-Star Camp’s packed multipurpose hall. The government was forced to provide an explanation in response.
In response to the news, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Advisor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, issued a statement on Monday.
He claims that 4,300 potential corps members showed up for the drill, even though the camp normally takes in just over 2,000 recruits per batch.
The scenario, according to Akinmade, came about because, before being assigned hostel places, prospective corps members were required to register, have their credentials verified, and undergo screening.
He mentioned that the multipurpose space was made available with mattresses for individuals whose registration lasted into the nite.
As the registration operation went on into the nite, “the video captured a temporary arrangement,” he explained.
No part of the registration, screening, credential verification, or hostel distribution processes were the purview of the state government, according to Akinmade. Rather, they were carried out by NYSC professionals.
Nevertheless, he asserted that the Ogun State Government had persistently backed the program by implementing initiatives to enhance the welfare of corps members.
As he revealed it, 500 beds were supplied by the state government for the present exercise, while 300 mattresses were donated by the Akarigbo of Remo.
According to the governor’s adviser, 3,050 corps members from the 2026 Batch C Stream I will each receive N50,000 to cover transportation costs. This decision was just approved by Abiodun.
He said that the state government would keep helping out corps members in Ogun so that they could have a good experience.
The footage of the prospective corps members crammed into a room, with mattresses pressed close together on the floor, caused the outcry. Mattress sharing was also seen by some.
Ayohid01, an X user who seems to be impacted, vented their frustrations over the issue.
“Dude, I still can’t believe I’m in Ogun State camp right now—I didn’t even try,” the user added.
Upon being approached, Mrs. Tejumade Awoleye, the NYSC Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, chose not to comment on the issue.
She stated that the problem should be properly handled by the state coordinator and the scheme’s Director-General.
“The state coordinator and the Director General of the NYSC can address the issue,” she added, adding that she was unable to comment on the situation herself.