NYSC seeks acceptance, decent accommodation for corps members in Lagos

The NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, has appealed to employers to promptly accept corps members and provide decent accommodation.

Salmwang said adequate accommodation would enable corps members contribute meaningfully to national development throughout their service year.
 
She made the appeal on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch B, Stream II Orientation Course in Lagos.
  
The ceremony was held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, for corps members deployed to the state.
  
Salmwang commended the Lagos State Government for supporting corps members and employers, but sought greater intervention to address accommodation challenges.
  
“Accommodation is fundamental to effective service delivery. Employers must accept corps members, settle them promptly and provide decent accommodation,” she said.
 
She explained that many corps members deployed to Lagos came from other states and would spend the next year serving in the state.
 
“Most of them are from states outside Lagos and will be here in the next one year,” Salmwang said.
  
She added that securing accommodation for corps members would resolve many challenges they might encounter during their service year.
 
“Once accommodation is secured for them, virtually all other challenges are solved,” she said.
  
Salmwang also praised the state government for caring for corps members and supporting organisations that engage them during national service.
 
“Lagos State Government is doing well, caring for corps members as well as employers. But I appeal for more support,” she said.
 
She said additional support would strengthen effective national service delivery and enable corps members perform their responsibilities under better conditions.
  
The coordinator expressed confidence that the corps members had received adequate mentoring and preparation to navigate their service year successfully.
  
“For corps members, we have mentored them and prepared them to navigate their service year,” Salmwang said.
  
She urged them to remain focused, diligent and committed, while giving their best wherever they were deployed across Lagos.
  
Salmwang also charged the corps members to make meaningful contributions through Community Development Service, saying their impact would outlive their service period.
  
“They have been trained, mentored and must make a difference, particularly through CDS, and give back to society,” she said.
  
According to her, corps members should recognise that their contributions would form part of their lasting legacy within the communities where they served.
  
“When they leave, the legacy they created will speak for them,” Salmwang said.
  
Mrs Toyin Oke-Oseyintolu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, also urged corps members to leave positive footprints.
  
“Anywhere you find yourself, make sure you leave it better than you met it,” Oke-Oseyintolu said.
  
She encouraged them to make themselves valuable to their host communities, ensuring residents would remember their contributions after completing national service.
  
“Let people miss you after you have gone, and remember your contribution always,” she said.
  
Oke-Oseyintolu further urged the corps members to identify challenges around them and develop practical solutions instead of waiting for instructions.
  
“Do not wait for anyone to call you; identify problems, seek solutions and act,” she said.
  
She encouraged them to remain resilient and determined in pursuing their goals, while refusing to allow setbacks to undermine their opportunities.
  
The permanent secretary also commended the corps members for their coordinated performances during the closing ceremony.
  
She described their teamwork as a source of pride and urged them to sustain the same spirit throughout their service year.