The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding budget for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members during orientation camps.
The scheme’s Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, announced the review on Saturday.
Nafiu spoke while addressing 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream One corps members at the Cross River State Orientation Camp in Obubra.
The announcement was contained in a statement by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
He said the Budget Office was aware of the upward review. The increase is expected to take effect next year.
The NYSC is a mandatory one-year national service scheme for Nigerian graduates. It was established in 1973 to promote unity and national integration.
Corps members are posted to states outside their home regions and live in orientation camps for three weeks before their primary assignments.
Nafiu Advises Corps Members on Prudent Spending
Nafiu asked corps members to spend wisely and avoid ostentatious living. He also told them to cultivate a savings habit.
He commended Nigerian youths for their resilience and commitment to national service. In addition, he advised them against travelling late.
He said they should suspend journeys if it was approaching 6 pm and continue the following day.
“Don’t sleep in public places, don’t sleep in filling station in large numbers, people will easily identify you,” he said.
He told them to seek safety in designated security establishments when necessary.
“Go to military barracks, police barracks, DSS establishments, and call the NYSC line,” he said.
Nafiu said efforts would be intensified to engage stakeholders on improving facilities at the Obubra camp. He also encouraged corps members to acquire additional skills beyond their academic qualifications.
“Learn something that will be useful to you, learn cosmetology, learn how to tie gele and others,” he said.
Cross River State Coordinator Adejoke Oyenuga described the visit as a demonstration of the director general’s commitment to corps members’ welfare.
She said 1,064 corps members had been registered at the camp and had all adapted to the regimented environment.
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The increment is a nice bold step, these NYSC people sometimes are going through so much, it is not easy to survive a place that is new to you, no common language per se, and a whole lot, so I thank them for that, another thing that should be looked into is how fast people are deployed. We need it a lot faster and safer.