Corps members participating in the National Youth Service Corps programme are facing growing difficulties securing decent and affordable accommodation after leaving orientation camps, with many forced to rely on relatives, colleagues or personal funds to find shelter.
The housing challenge has reportedly affected corps members serving in several parts of the country, particularly those posted to major cities where rents have risen sharply.
For many participants, the problem begins immediately after their three-week orientation. While some employers provide accommodation, others leave corps members to make their own arrangements at their Places of Primary Assignment.
A corps member serving in Abeokuta, Ogun State, identified as Blessing, said she was not offered accommodation when she resumed at her PPA in Abeokuta South. She was only able to settle in through the assistance of a family friend who provided her with a place to stay.
Another corps member serving in Jos, Plateau State, recounted spending months with a fellow corps member while searching for affordable housing.
She eventually secured a self-contained apartment for about N300,000 but said the distance between her residence and place of assignment, coupled with poor electricity and water supply, added to her difficulties.
The situation is not uniform across the country. Some corps members receive accommodation through their employers or host communities.
A medical graduate serving in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, for instance, said she was provided with accommodation after being posted to a medical facility. According to her, the apartment had running water and electricity for several hours each night.
However, other corps members said available lodges were sometimes unsuitable, leaving them with the difficult choice of accepting poor living conditions or paying for private accommodation.
In Kaduna, a corps member serving at a Federal Government establishment said he arrived in the state without any housing arrangement. He eventually discovered that even a modest self-contained apartment could cost about N400,000.
He explained that corps members who have relatives or work with organizations that provide accommodation may be better positioned, while those who relocate from other states without local contacts often struggle to find somewhere to stay.
The housing problem is also being reported in other parts of the country, including Kwara, Kano, Abia and Sokoto, where some corps members have resorted to sharing apartments to reduce expenses. In some communities, churches, host communities and other groups have stepped in to provide temporary shelter.
Apart from the financial burden, the absence of suitable accommodation has raised concerns about the safety and welfare of corps members, particularly young people posted to unfamiliar communities without relatives or established support networks.
The challenge has also placed additional pressure on the monthly allowance received by corps members, as rent, transportation, feeding and other expenses compete for the same limited income.
The situation has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of accommodation obligations by employers and greater intervention from the NYSC, state governments and local authorities.
Stakeholders argue that improving accommodation for corps members would not only ease their financial burden but also provide safer and more conducive conditions for young Nigerians undertaking the compulsory national service programme.
