A video showing overcrowding and inadequate sleeping arrangements at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Sagamu, Ogun State, has sparked outrage on social media, with Nigerians expressing concerns over the welfare of corps members.
The footage, shared online by corps members, shows graduates sleeping on mattresses placed closely together on the floor of a multipurpose hall converted into an accommodation facility to cope with the increasing number of participants.
Several social media users criticised the conditions, describing them as unacceptable for a national programme expected to cater adequately for thousands of graduates. An X user, Ayohid01 (@ayohid01), 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.”
Another user, Chude (@Chude_ND1), likened the conditions to those in displacement camps, while CandyLove (@DazylingQueen) described the situation as heartbreaking and called for improved welfare standards for corps members.
A civic technology and accountability organisation, MonITNG (@monitng), also condemned the reported conditions, describing them as “a national disgrace that demands immediate intervention.” The organisation alleged that some prospective corps members had been asked to return home because of inadequate accommodation, while others struggled to secure sleeping spaces.
It questioned the preparedness of the NYSC authorities, asking why sufficient accommodation, sanitation and other essential facilities had not been provided despite the expected number of participants. MonITNG subsequently called on the NYSC Director-General, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and other relevant authorities to investigate the situation and improve accommodation, healthcare, feeding, sanitation and security at orientation camps nationwide.
However, some social media users argued that the situation should not be blamed on the Ogun State Government, stressing that the NYSC is a Federal Government programme responsible for deploying corps members to different states.
An X user, nba (@nba101i), also alleged that some male corps members had been moved out of their hostel to accommodate female participants, describing the development as unfair.
Similarly, Millenium.py (@the_millenium1) argued that the overcrowding resulted from the high number of corps members deployed to Ogun State, noting that the camp was among the best-equipped in the country before the increase in population.
Another user, Man of Letters (@Letter_to_Jack), defended the state government, claiming that the number of corps members deployed to Ogun increased from 2,578 during the 2025 Batch A Stream II exercise to 4,152 in the 2026 Batch C Stream II exercise.
The user further claimed that Governor Dapo Abiodun had directed the provision of additional beds for the camp, adding that the beds seen on the floor of the multipurpose hall in the viral video were part of the intervention.
Meanwhile, figures presented at the opening and swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch C Stream II orientation course showed that 4,152 prospective corps members had registered for the exercise.
The Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Frances Omolabake Adewuyi, disclosed that 3,698 participants were deployed directly to the state, while 454 were transferred from Lagos State.
Of the Lagos contingent, 171 were males and 283 females, while those deployed directly to Ogun comprised 1,460 males and 2,238 females.
The Ogun State Government had earlier approved the donation of 500 mattresses to the Sagamu camp amid the growing number of corps members deployed to the state.
The camp, located along Ikenne Road in Sagamu, has traditionally been regarded by corps members and officials as one of the best-equipped NYSC orientation camps in the country because of its facilities and organisation.
Image NYSC Orientation Camp Shagamu, Ogun State in 2026. Even people in IDP camps in Gaza are not living like this.
We have serious problem in this country. https://t.co/SWFjpVxitt
— Chude (@Chude_ND1) November 8, 2026
