The Ogun State Government has blamed the congestion at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Sagamu on a sharp rise in the number of prospective corps members deployed to the state.
The explanation followed the circulation of a viral video showing several prospective corps members sleeping in an overcrowded multipurpose hall at the facility, popularly referred to as the Five-Star Camp.
The state government clarified that the registration, screening, verification of credentials and allocation of hostel spaces were handled solely by NYSC officials and were not directly under its control.
It noted that the camp usually accommodates slightly above 2,000 corps members in each batch. However, the current batch has recorded over 4,300 prospective corps members, creating significant pressure on the available facilities.
The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, describing the scene in the viral video as a temporary arrangement during the registration exercise.
Akinmade said, “The video captured a temporary arrangement during the registration exercise, which continued into the night”.
He explained that prospective corps members had to undergo credential verification and screening by NYSC officials before being allocated hostels.
“The prospective corps members must first undergo credential verification and screening by NYSC officials before being allocated hostels.
“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.
Akinmade added that the number of prospective corps members deployed to Ogun had increased considerably compared with previous batches.
“The state received more than 4,300 prospective corps members for the current batch, compared with slightly over 2,000 in previous batches, increasing the pressure on available camp facilities,” he said.
He emphasised that although the NYSC was responsible for managing the registration process and camp accommodation, the state government consistently supported the agency through interventions aimed at improving the welfare of corps members.
As part of its support, Akinmade said the state government provided 500 mattresses during the current exercise, while the Akarigbo of Remo donated 100 mattresses, followed by an additional donation of 200.
He also recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun had recently approved ₦50,000 each for the 3,050 corps members in the previous 2026 Batch C Stream I to assist with their transportation.
Akinmade further said 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 understand the distinction between the operational responsibilities of the NYSC and the supportive role of the state government, assuring them that the Abiodun administration would continue to provide assistance to make the state conducive for corps members to serve.
The controversy followed the emergence of a video showing overcrowding and what appeared to be poor sleeping conditions at the Sagamu orientation camp.
The footage, which surfaced online on Monday, showed graduates packed into a room, with mattresses placed closely together on the floor. Some prospective corps members were also seen sharing mattresses.
The multipurpose hall, ordinarily used for events, had reportedly been converted into a sleeping area to accommodate the increased number of prospective corps members, raising concerns about the adequacy of facilities at the camp.
An X user, Ayohid01 (@ayohid01), who appeared to be among those affected, expressed frustration over the situation, writing, “Bro, I can’t believe I am experiencing this right now at Ogun State camp Unna no try at all.”
