The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to suspend the deployment of corps members to Cross River State over the deteriorating condition of its permanent orientation camp in Obubra, according to reports.
The proposed suspension reportedly followed an inspection of the camp by NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who expressed concern that the facilities were outdated and no longer met the required standards for accommodating corps members.
According to reports published on Wednesday, October 14, the directive is expected to take effect after the ongoing 2026 Batch C Stream I orientation exercise, meaning Stream II corps members may not be deployed to the state until further notice.
Camp Capacity Drops From 2,500 To Just Over 1,000
The camp, located in Obubra Local Government Area, previously accommodated approximately 2,500 corps members per stream but reportedly now hosts slightly more than 1,000.
More than 700 corps members are also said to be processing relocation to other states because of the poor condition of the facilities.
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Cross River is expected to receive about 6,000 corps members annually, but the number deployed to the state has reportedly declined significantly amid concerns about the camp’s condition.
The orientation camp occupies the premises of the former Government Science School and has reportedly operated for more than two decades without any major renovation.
NYSC Seeks State Government’s Intervention
Reports indicate that the NYSC is seeking intervention from the Cross River State Government to address the situation, with the Director-General reportedly calling for a new orientation camp.
The development comes after Nafiu visited the camp during the ongoing Batch C Stream I orientation exercise, where the condition of the facilities reportedly drew concern.
The NYSC has yet to publicly confirm the suspension in the reports reviewed, while the state government’s response to the request for intervention was not available at the time of filing this report.
If implemented, the measure would affect prospective corps members scheduled for deployment to Cross River in subsequent orientation streams, pending improvements to the camp or further directives from the scheme.
