By The Editor
The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding budget for National Youth Service Corps members during their orientation courses, in a move expected to improve welfare at camps across Nigeria from 2027.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed the development while interacting with members of the 2026 Batch C Stream One at the Cross River State orientation camp in Obubra.
According to a report published by Voice of Nigeria on October 11, Nafiu said the Budget Office was aware of the upward review and indicated that the increase was expected to take effect next year. However, the specific amount of the increase and the revised daily feeding allocation were not stated in the report.
The announcement comes as the NYSC continues to manage the welfare of graduates undertaking the mandatory national service programme. Feeding, accommodation, healthcare, camp facilities and personal safety remain important considerations during the orientation period, when corps members undergo training before deployment to their places of primary assignment.
Nafiu urged corps members to manage their allowances responsibly, avoid unnecessary spending and develop a savings culture. He also encouraged them to acquire practical skills that could improve their employment prospects and provide additional sources of income after national service.
READ ALSO:Military Kills Over 40 ISWAP Fighters in Borno Airstrike
The NYSC director-general placed particular emphasis on travel safety, advising corps members to avoid continuing journeys late into the evening when doing so could expose them to danger. He urged them to stop travelling before 6 p.m. where necessary and seek assistance from security agencies if they encounter difficulties.
At the Obubra camp, the Cross River State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Adejoke Oyenuga, disclosed that 1,064 corps members had registered for the orientation exercise. She also highlighted the need for continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to improve and renovate camp facilities.
The planned increase in the feeding budget is expected to provide additional support for corps members during orientation. Its practical impact, however, will depend on the size of the allocation, implementation arrangements and whether the revised funding adequately reflects food costs and the number of participants at each camp.
READ ALSO:Okorocha’s Alleged Arrest Sparks Controversy
As the new budget arrangement approaches its expected implementation in 2027, corps members and other stakeholders will be watching for further details on the approved allocation and how the funds will be applied across the country.
The Merit Newspaper will follow further announcements from the Federal Government and the NYSC on the implementation of the revised feeding budget.
