The Ogun State Government has attributed the overcrowding at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Sagamu to a sharp increase in the number of prospective corps members posted to the state.
The explanation followed the circulation of a viral video showing prospective corps members sleeping in a crowded multipurpose hall at the camp, popularly known as the Five-Star Camp, sparking concerns over the adequacy of its accommodation facilities.
In a statement on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said the camp, which typically accommodates slightly over 2,000 corps members per batch, received more than 4,300 prospective corps members in the current batch.
He explained that the influx had placed considerable pressure on the available facilities, resulting in temporary accommodation arrangements during the registration exercise.
According to Akinmade, the registration, screening, credential verification and hostel allocation of corps members are handled exclusively by NYSC officials and do not fall directly under the responsibility of the state government.
He said the viral video captured a temporary arrangement for prospective corps members whose registration extended into the night.
“The video captured a temporary arrangement during the registration exercise, which continued into the night. Those whose registration extended into the night were temporarily accommodated in the multipurpose hall, with mattresses provided for them to rest while the exercise continued,” he said.
On measures taken to ease the situation, Akinmade disclosed that the state government provided 500 mattresses during the exercise, while the Akarigbo of Remo donated an initial 100 mattresses and subsequently provided an additional 200.
He also recalled that Governor Abiodun recently approved a ₦50,000 transportation allowance for each of the 3,050 corps members in the previous 2026 Batch C Stream I.
The governor’s aide further noted that Ogun State had been adjudged the best in the country in NYSC administration, describing the recognition as evidence of the government’s sustained commitment to supporting the scheme.
He urged members of the public to distinguish between the operational responsibilities of the NYSC and the supportive role of the state government.
Akinmade assured that the Abiodun administration would continue to provide necessary assistance to ensure that Ogun State remains a conducive environment for corps members to undertake their national service.