Ogun Government Explains Overcrowding at Sagamu NYSC Camp, Cites Surge in Corps Members

The Ogun State Government has explained the overcrowding at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Sagamu following public outrage over a viral video showing prospective corps members sleeping in a crowded multipurpose hall.

The video, which circulated online on Monday, showed graduates sleeping on mattresses placed closely together on the floor, leaving little space for movement.

The development sparked widespread criticism, with Nigerians questioning the preparedness of the NYSC to provide adequate accommodation and welfare facilities for participants.

Ogun Government Cites Increase in Corps Members

Reacting to the controversy, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said the video captured a temporary arrangement during the registration exercise, which extended into the night.

According to the government, the Sagamu orientation camp, popularly known as the Five-Star Camp, usually accommodates slightly over 2,000 corps members per batch but received more than 4,300 prospective corps members in the current batch.

Akinmade explained that registration, screening, credential verification and hostel allocation were handled exclusively by NYSC officials.

He said prospective corps members were required to complete the necessary verification processes before receiving hostel allocations. Those whose registration continued late into the night were temporarily accommodated in the multipurpose hall, where mattresses were provided.

He said the increase in the number of prospective corps members had placed additional pressure on the available facilities.

Government Lists Welfare Interventions

The state government said it intervened by providing 500 mattresses during the current exercise, while the Akarigbo of Remo donated 100 mattresses, followed by an additional donation of 200.

Akinmade maintained that although the NYSC was responsible for managing registration and camp accommodation, the state government continued to support the agency through interventions aimed at improving corps members' welfare.

He also recalled that Governor Abiodun recently approved ₦50,000 each for 3,050 corps members in the previous 2026 Batch C, Stream I, to support their transportation.

The governor's aide further said Ogun State had been adjudged the best in the country in NYSC administration, describing the recognition as evidence of the government's commitment to supporting the scheme.

MonITNG, Pat Utomi Condemn Conditions

Meanwhile, civic technology and accountability organisation MonITNG condemned the reported conditions, describing them as a “national disgrace that demands immediate intervention”.

In a statement shared online, the organisation alleged that some prospective corps members had been asked to return home because of inadequate accommodation, while others struggled to find sleeping spaces.

It called on the NYSC Director-General, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and other relevant authorities to investigate the situation and improve accommodation, healthcare, sanitation, feeding and security at orientation camps nationwide.

Economist Pat Utomi also criticised the situation, questioning why Nigerians continued to accept poor conditions in public institutions as normal.

In a post on his X account, Utomi said prospective corps members deserved dignity, better facilities and a more suitable orientation experience.

NYSC Yet to Respond

The controversy has renewed concerns about the capacity of orientation camps to accommodate increasing numbers of prospective corps members and provide adequate welfare facilities.

As of the time of filing this report, the NYSC national spokesperson had yet to issue a response to the public outcry.

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