The Federal Government has approved an increase in the funds allocated for feeding National Youth Service Corps members during their orientation course, with implementation expected to begin next year. The adjustment is part of measures affecting corps members’ welfare, according to the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
Nafiu announced the development while addressing members of the 2026 Batch C Stream One at the NYSC orientation camp in Obubra, Cross River State. He said the Budget Office had been notified of the adjustment, although the new feeding allocation and the precise implementation date were not disclosed.
Beyond feeding arrangements, the director-general urged corps members to take personal safety seriously, particularly when travelling. He advised them to avoid journeys after 6 p.m. and continue the following day rather than risk travelling late into the night.
Nafiu also warned against resting in exposed public places or sleeping in groups at filling stations while travelling. He advised corps members who need assistance to seek safety at military installations, police stations or Department of State Services offices and contact the NYSC hotline.
The director-general said efforts would be intensified to engage relevant stakeholders in providing and rehabilitating facilities at the Obubra camp. The move is expected to support efforts to improve the environment in which corps members undergo their orientation programme.
He also encouraged participants to acquire practical skills that could improve their prospects beyond national service, including cosmetology and traditional hairstyling. Nafiu urged them to manage their finances carefully, avoid unnecessary spending and develop disciplined saving habits.
The NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Mrs Adejoke Oyenuga, said the director-general’s visit demonstrated a commitment to corps members’ welfare. She reported that 1,064 participants had registered at the camp and had adapted to its structured routine. The planned feeding increase, camp infrastructure efforts and safety advice remain key aspects of the support being communicated to the current batch.
