The Ogun State Government has clarified that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) bears sole responsibility for the registration, screening, and accommodation of prospective corps members at the Sagamu Orientation Camp.
The government made the clarification following a viral video showing prospective corps members sleeping in a hall at the camp, explaining that the arrangement was temporary and resulted from a registration exercise that extended into the night.
Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said prospective corps members were required to undergo credential verification and screening by NYSC officials before being allocated hostels.
According to him, those whose registration was delayed were temporarily accommodated in the multipurpose hall, where mattresses were provided for them to rest while the exercise continued.
Akinmade stressed that the state government was not responsible for the registration process, credential verification or hostel allocation, but continued to support the NYSC in improving the welfare of corps members.
He said Ogun received more than 4,300 prospective corps members in the current batch, compared with slightly over 2,000 in previous batches, putting additional pressure on available facilities.
The statement reads in part: “The Ogun State Government has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing prospective corps members sleeping in a hall at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu, stressing that the registration, screening, credential verification and hostel allocation of corps members are exclusively handled by NYSC officials and are not responsibilities of the state government.”
It added that the state government had continued to provide support to the scheme, including the provision of 500 mattresses during the current exercise.
The Akarigbo of Remo also donated 100 mattresses, followed by an additional 200, according to the statement.
Akinmade further recalled Governor Abiodun’s approval of a N50,000 welfare grant for each of the 3,050 corps members in the 2026 Batch C, Stream I, to support their transportation.
The government also said Ogun had been adjudged the best state in the country in NYSC administration, citing its commitment to providing support for the scheme.
It urged the public to distinguish between the operational responsibilities of the NYSC and the supportive role of the state government, assuring that the Abiodun administration would continue to assist in providing a conducive environment for corps members serving in the state.
What You Should Know
A viral video showing incoming youth corps members sleeping inside a hall at the Sagamu orientation camp in Ogun State sparked public reactions, prompting the state government to clear the air. According to the authorities, the situation was only a temporary arrangement because late-night registration stretched beyond normal hours.
The government explained that registering, verifying credentials, and assigning hostels are strictly handled by NYSC officials, not the state government. Despite this division of responsibilities, Ogun State has continued to support the scheme by providing mattresses and welfare grants to make corps members comfortable.
- Positive Impact: The clarification removes false blame from the state government and highlights the proactive support, welfare grants, and additional mattresses provided by the state and traditional rulers to accommodate the large influx of corps members.
- Potential Concerns: The incident brings to light potential logistical strains and overstretched camp facilities caused by a sharp increase in the number of newly deployed corps members relative to available infrastructure.
