Some 2026 Batch A Stream II corps members undergoing the mandatory three-week National Youth Service Corps orientation exercise in Oyo State have decried erratic power supply and water scarcity at the orientation camp.
The corps members, who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said living conditions at the camp located in Iseyin, Oyo State, have become increasingly difficult since they arrived for the exercise last Wednesday.
One of the corps members said the electricity supply in the camp has been erratic since the commencement of the orientation programme.
The corps member added that they sometimes had to attend official programmes without taking baths due to the inconsistent water supply.
“The situation has not been nice at all. We’ve been experiencing an erratic power supply since we came last Wednesday, and there has been a challenge with the water supply.
“Sometimes, we attend programmes without taking a bath because we may be alerted to programmes while still waiting for water, and you have no choice but to join the programmes.
“It is becoming a challenge to maintain proper hygiene, especially among female corps members,” the corps member said.
Another corps member alleged that NYSC officials in the state had warned participants against posting complaints on social media, which she said had made many corps members reluctant to speak openly.
“We were warned against posting anything that can incriminate the scheme in the state. I think that’s why many people may not talk about the issue.
“We have been experiencing the issue of erratic power supply and water scarcity since last week, and this one week has been challenging.
“We hope that the NYSC management in Oyo will look into the situation before it deteriorates further,” the corps member added.
When contacted, the Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Kayode Peters, disputed the claims of water scarcity raised by the corps members.
He acknowledged the issue of erratic electricity supply but insisted that measures had been put in place to ensure adequate water provision within the camp.
“That there’s no water, that is not correct. We pump water every time for them. Because of the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, we have to use our generator to pump water morning, afternoon, and night for their comfort,” he said.
Orientation camps across Nigeria have, in recent years, faced recurring complaints from corps members over welfare conditions, particularly regarding electricity, water supply and accommodation.
PUNCH Metro reported on Monday that the Niger State Government recently ordered the immediate repair of buildings damaged by a windstorm at the NYSC orientation camp in Paiko, following severe weather conditions that disrupted facilities but recorded no casualties.
