Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has proposed relocating the National Youth Service Corps permanent orientation camp from its current location within Maiduguri city centre to Government Secondary School in Auno, citing sustainability, security, and future expansion needs.
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, joined Governor Zulum and other management staff during an inspection of the proposed facility on Friday, where the governor outlined reasons for the relocation.
Brigadier General Nafiu praised the proposal, describing it as uncommon and forward looking, noting that the Federal Government has increased annual corps member mobilisation from 300,000 to 450,000 in 2026.
"His Excellency's offering is uncommon. It is futuristic and shows he is thinking far ahead of where we currently are. That is exactly where this scheme is growing into," Nafiu stated.
He highlighted that security remains a crucial factor in deploying corps members nationwide, praising Governor Zulum for inviting the Garrison Commander and Theatre Intelligence Commander to help assess the proposed site.
Governor Zulum explained that population growth influenced his decision, estimating that Borno could accommodate between 3,000 and 5,000 corps members in the next one or two years.
"One of the main reasons I am proposing this location for the NYSC permanent orientation camp is sustainability. With such a population, hosting 3,000 to 5,000 corps members in the next one or two years will put pressure on local infrastructure," Zulum said.
He highlighted that the ongoing construction of a bypass located about 2 to 2.5 kilometres from the site would enhance accessibility, with the Teaching Hospital expected to be commissioned within the next two to three months, and the State University along the same axis adding strategic importance to the corridor.
"This corridor is fast becoming a major institutional and development hub. If we are serious about long term planning, we must move to a more spacious and strategic location," the governor added.
The facility features two hostels with eight dormitories, a dining hall and kitchen, 26 classrooms with attached offices, seven laboratories, 12 additional rooms, an overhead water tank, and a functional solar powered borehole, with classrooms capable of accommodating between 1,300 and 1,500 corps members simultaneously.
On security, Zulum assured that the location can be effectively fortified, referencing proximity to security formations and a military checkpoint in the area.
"If this place is deemed suitable after your assessment, we will strengthen the perimeter fence, improve security architecture, and install modern technological gadgets to prevent intrusion. Once properly secured, this location will be ideal," he pledged.
He promised to provide accommodation for NYSC officials, possibly acquiring additional housing within the Federal Mass Housing Estate, stressing his preference for investing public resources in locations guaranteeing sustainability and long term value.
