The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed alarm over the growing trend of corps members seeking relocation away from Edo State due to multiple welfare-related concerns.
According to reports gathered by Naturenex, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Edo, Frances Ben-Ushie, raised these concerns while addressing the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members during their swearing-in ceremony held over the weekend.
Ben-Ushie pointed to the lack of feeding augmentation throughout the orientation course and the failure of the state government to pay monthly stipends to corps members as the primary reasons for the increasing requests for relocation.
She explained that the absence of additional feeding provisions at the orientation camp, coupled with the withholding of state allowances, had significantly driven many corps members to seek transfer to other states where their welfare might be better guaranteed.
While calling on the state government for swift intervention, Ben-Ushie maintained that tackling these issues would not only improve the corps members’ camp experience but also help stabilise NYSC operations across Edo.
Another pressing challenge she identified was the lack of annual state subvention — a statutory requirement under the NYSC Act — which has hampered the smooth running of activities at the permanent orientation camp located in Okada, within Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Ben-Ushie further appealed for the construction of additional hostel accommodations to address the severe shortage affecting corps members, especially given the increasing number of participants each year. “Inadequate hostel facilities for corps members and camp officials continue to pose a major challenge. With increasing numbers of participants each year, we urgently need expanded accommodation to ensure comfort and safety,” she remarked.
She also called for significant improvements in logistics, infrastructure, and the provision of critical facilities such as workshops and laboratories to support the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Highlighting operational challenges, Ben-Ushie requested assistance to tackle recurring electricity and water supply issues, which have contributed to rising operational expenses at the camp. “We also appealed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to help in resolving electricity and water challenges at the camp. These have significantly increased the operational costs of running the orientation camp,” she added.
Among other urgent needs listed were the completion of the camp’s main gate, provision of operational vehicles for monitoring corps members effectively, and the construction of a multipurpose hall to ease the burden on the dining facility currently doubling as a space for all major events.
She equally raised concerns about land encroachment on the camp premises due to a lack of demarcation and formal documentation of its extension.
Despite the array of difficulties, Ben-Ushie acknowledged the Edo State Government for its consistent provision of buses to transport corps members to their places of primary assignment.
Meanwhile, speaking at the ceremony, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Aiyegbeni Balogun, encouraged corps members to explore the wealth of opportunities available in Edo State in sectors such as agriculture, education, technology, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
The governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to their welfare, saying, “From the moment you arrived in Edo, we have worked diligently to ensure that the environment is conducive for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy a fulfilling year.”
He urged them to make meaningful contributions to the state’s development during their service year. “Your contributions to Edo, whether in education, healthcare, agriculture, or community development, will have a lasting impact on our social and economic landscape.”
He concluded with a call to service, reminding them, “This is your chance not only to give back to society but leave a legacy that inspires others.”
