My name is Joyous, a corps member deployed for service in the 2024 Batch C Stream 2 set. I camped at Bauchi NYSC camp popularly known as “Wailo Camp.” It is situated in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Just sharing my experience here and yeah, it might be a bit biased, but I’ll do my best to keep it objective. Whatever you’re feeling, I totally get it because I’ve been there too.
Let’s start from the day the call-up letter came out.
I was so anxious to see where I was posted that I had to wake up by 2am to check my callup letter. That was because of what I experienced during registration when the NYSC portal kept hanging during the day. While men slept, intending white fowls kept vigil. 😂
I downloaded the call-up letter and saw Bauchi State. In my head, I was like, “God abeg.”
To be honest, I was greatly disappointed because I never imagined serving in the North, not to talk of a state that hardly makes the news.
To lighten up my mood, I started searching for information about the Bauchi NYSC camp as well as beautiful places in the State itself. Just about anything to look forward to. I also checked the distance and found out I would need two days to get there from Ekpoma if I didn’t want to travel at night. I made up my mind to start my journey the next day.
Later in the day, I printed several copies of the documents needed for camp. I no wan hear stories that touch.
The Journey To Bauchi NYSC Camp
Since I didn’t want to travel at night, I broke my journey into two. I boarded Big Joe Transport from Ekpoma to Abuja and got there around 3pm. The next morning, I went to Sani Abacha Park in Mararaba where I joined a bus filled with other prospective corps members heading to Wailo camp.
The trip from Abuja to Bauchi NYSC camp was a seven-hour journey. We passed through Jos which had the cool temperature I’d always heard about but never experienced.
When I got to Bauchi, I was relieved. The roads were good, the markets were busy, and the buildings were beautiful. That’s when I knew it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
We got to camp safely and some little Hausa kids rushed to help carry our boxes. But as a sharp Nigerian girl, I refused politely and held my boxes tight. I no wan hear say my box disappear. 😂
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Bauchi State And The Local Government Areas
What I know about Bauchi State isn’t just from my experience as a prospective corps member, but also from a few months of actually serving there. This should help you if you’re posted to Bauchi.
On your way to camp, you’ll pass through several local government areas. One of the most beautiful is the state capital itself. As expected, it is top-notch. But as you continue, you’ll also see some LGAs that might scare you a bit. Just sand and rocks everywhere. No green trees. Just brown, dry ones. That’s probably because of the dry season. You might even see camels being used for transport. Nice to see, but not nice to live with for a whole year.
Bauchi is home to Yankari Game Reserve, one of Nigeria’s top tourist sites. Ensure you explore it while serving here.
The state has 20 local government areas. If you’re from an urban place and want somewhere similar, Bauchi (the capital) and Azare are the most developed. If you want somewhere close to Jos or you’re interested in farming, then Toro is a good option. Tafawa Balewa also does well in agriculture.
Like in every state, the capital is usually the most expensive to live in. If you want an urban area but at a cheaper rate, Misau is your best bet. It’s not as flashy as Bauchi or Azare, but it has the basic things you’ll need and is also secure.
What To Know About The People Of Bauchi
The people here are really nice. A lot of them, including some students, don’t speak English but they’re very welcoming and respect corps members. Even at the bank or in the market, you’ll feel the respect. Just make sure you wear your NYSC khaki if you want any favors from the locals.
One thing they don’t joke with is dressing. If you love mini skirts and armless tops, just leave them at home. You don’t want to get embarrassed or attract the wrong kind of attention.
Bauchi State has more Muslims than Christians. But in the urban areas like the capital, it’s a balanced mix. In those places, you can get away with casual dressing without issues.
About the weather, temperatures are mostly high and sometimes they have serious sandstorms. The sun comes out early and still shines bright by 5 p.m. I witnessed my first rainfall in April. So yes, Bauchi is hot but during the rainy season, it can get extremely cold. Come prepared. Pack light clothes for the heat and thick sweaters for the cold nights.
Arrival at Bauchi NYSC Camp
I thought I’d be among the few PCMs to arrive early but to my surprise, I met a crowd at the gate. The registration process started with us showing our original callup letters. These were inspected before we were allowed into the NYSC camp. I noticed the camp had been recently renovated and it looked quite good.
I joined the queue with other PCMs where they only asked for the call-up letter and addendum. While those were being checked, another NYSC official opened our boxes to search for any prohibited items in the NYSC camp. After everything was checked and cleared, the state coordinator gave us biscuits and pure water herself.
Wailo Camp Setup and Accommodation
The dry cleaners at Mammy Market helped carry our luggage to the hostels. One of the perks of reporting early to camp is that you get to pick a good mattress and choose your bed space. As a sharp babe, I picked the bunk close to the socket only for me to later find out that all the sockets had been disconnected to prevent any electrical issues. Chai.
Bauchi NYSC camp has six hostels. The female hostels are B1, B2, and B3, while the guys are in A1, A2, and A3. The hostels were really nice with enough fans and light. There are 10 toilets and bathrooms in each hostel. All tiled and well lit. On a scale of 1-10, I rate the camp hostel a solid 10 over 10.
The female hostels are close to the camp ground while the male ones are a bit farther. Ladies are advised not to visit the male hostels to avoid embarrassment from the soldiers.
The clinic is a bit far from the main camp ground but there’s an ambulance for corps members who faint during parade. The clinic isn’t very big so once a patient shows even small signs of recovery, they discharge them immediately so someone else can take the bed.
The kitchen is close to the camp hall. Corps members aren’t allowed inside the kitchen. You just queue outside and place your flask on a wooden platform when it’s your turn to be served.
The Bauchi NYSC camp hall was still under construction during my time there. It had no windows or doors, so the cold in the evening was something else. But I heard it has been completed now.
The Documentation Process At Bauchi NYSC Camp
After sorting my accommodation, I went to the camp hall for documentation. From the name, you’d think it’s just to write down your name and go. But it’s not that simple.
I saw five different queues and didn’t know which one to join until a lady pointed me to where it all starts.
There, they checked all our documents again (call-up letter, addendum, green card, statement of result, and medical fitness). They didn’t ask for my ID card. After checking, they held onto the call-up letter and green card but returned the statement of result.
👉🏾 Bonus: Message on Whatsapp to process your medical fitness certificate which is a compulsory requirement for camp registration.
Next, I joined another queue where a man was checking only the statement of result. It felt unnecessary at first but I later found out he was the person in charge of PPA posting.
He checks through certificates to pick first-class graduates for the best-paying PPAs in the state. He saw my second-class upper and asked me a few questions about my course. Even first-class students are tested with one or two questions.
The next stage was thumbprinting. That’s where you get your state code and are automatically assigned to a platoon. The platoons are from 1 to 10 and go in sequence. Your platoon is decided based on the last digit of your state code. So, if you want to be in the same platoon with your friend, don’t go through this stage one after the other.
Bank Account Opening
After thumbprinting, we were given a quick talk about our platoons, our camp ID cards, and meal tickets. They explained how important these things are.
I couldn’t complete my registration that day because it was late, so I continued the next morning with bank account opening. That part was easy as long as you know your BVN and how to fill a form.
We also submitted details of our already existing bank accounts for bicycle allowance and first camp allawee. After camp, I started receiving my monthly stipend in the account opened for us in camp.
Daily Routine at Bauchi NYSC Camp
I heard a lot before camp but still wasn’t mentally prepared. The trumpet sound, known as the “beagle,” woke me by 4am. People were panicking because the soldiers were coming. I didn’t understand the panic until a female soldier banged on our door and shouted at everyone to get out.
I ran out in my pyjamas and went straight to the NCCF auditorium to pray. It was beside the OBS studio and very close to the Catholic family house. The Muslim fellowship centre was a bit farther.
We hadn’t even finished prayers when soldiers came again to chase us to the parade ground for morning devotion and drills. The weather was cold, but I wasn’t allowed to go back for my cardigan. The drills turned out to be fun though.
I’ll advise you to join a group as soon as you get to camp. The OBS, Band, and Quarter Guard are the hottest groups in camp. Since they win cash prizes from different sources, they get filled up quickly. The earlier you join, the better. Being in one of these groups can also help influence your PPA since everyone wants to be posted to urban areas. But if you miss out, joining a religious fellowship is also okay.
There’s a big book called the Book of Life where records of every corps member are kept. Make sure you fill in your details before leaving camp.
NYSC Kit Collection at Wailo Camp
After documentation, the next stage is collecting your NYSC kits. These include two pairs of white shirts and aquarium shorts, a pair of socks, one khaki trouser and jacket, a crested vest, one white sneakers, one jungle boot, and some NYSC magazines about the state and officials.
For the white shirts and shorts, ensure you buys yours from home so you won’t be washing every now and then. Also, there’s a good chance that the ones you’ll be given in camp will be be of inferior qualities.
📌 Pro Tip: Contact Fola NYSC Kit for your quality and affordable package for camp.
This part was fun especially the going around to exchange shoes due to size issues. Turns out that the kit sizes we filled during online registration wasn’t followed.
Once you’re done, you’re expected to wear your white-on-white immediately and join one activity or another. You must not be found idle because soldiers don’t like seeing anyone resting. After drills, everyone gathers in the hall for briefings on the Bauchi NYSC camp rules and activities.
Meal Ticket and Daily SAED Lectures
The meal ticket is numbered according to the 21 days you’ll spend at the NYSC camp. Each day is segmented into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re not an aza person, guard your meal ticket like gold. Mine stayed in my waist pouch at all times. You must also attach your passport photo to it and staple it properly. No passport means no food.
After breakfast, there are daily SAED lectures. SAED stands for Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development. It’s a program where you learn skills that can help you after service. Even though camp is just three weeks, you can continue learning your chosen skill after camp.
To be honest, they are very boring. Most people sleep through them but the soldiers move around and wake you up. To stay safe, bring dark sunshades so you can catch small sleep without being noticed.
SAED starts with general lectures. After that, you pick your preferred skill. Once you choose, you must stick with it till the end. Some options include catering, shoemaking, makeup, bead-making, knitting, solar installation, painting, computer training, and more. I picked catering because I enjoy cooking.
Mammy Market At The Bauchi NYSC Camp
This is the camp market where you can buy almost anything. It’s just a few steps away from the parade ground. The shops are arranged in a way that gives it multiple entrances. Mami is the fun spot of Bauchi NYSC camp. You’ll see guys spending on girls and some independent babes also spending on themselves. You’ll also meet people faking lifestyles. Don’t be deceived.
Interesting Facts About The Camp
- Unlike Ekpoma where I came from, the traders here don’t reject money. Torn or cellotaped notes spend freely here.
- Things are surprisingly cheap. Three sachets of water go for 50 naira. A plate of jollof rice and beef costs 1,200 naira, while noodles and egg is 1,000. Food in the NYSC camp and even around Bauchi State is generally affordable.
- The hostels were way better than I expected. Really beautiful.
- There were new foods to try like masa, awara, and kunu. They weren’t bad, especially the awara. Just make sure it’s peppery enough.
My Advice For Those Going to Bauchi NYSC Camp
Here are some helpful tips that worked for me during my stay in camp.
- Go with enough cash: If the camp kitchen serves something like tuwo that you can’t eat, just head to the camp market and and eat any food of your choice. Read this guide on camp budgeting for tips.
- Be Polite: Rudeness can bring embarrassment whereas being nice can even make you friends with the soldiers.
- Be Smart: Some guys are just there looking for girls to use so ladies, shine your eyes. For the guys too, don’t spend beyond your means trying to impress anyone. There’s life after camp.
- Don’t be uptight: You could meet your missing rib in camp. Some corps members come from well-to-do homes but are humble and unassuming. Be kind to everyone.
- Join a group: This will help bring you close to the Bauchi NYSC camp officials and increases your chances of getting a better PPA.
- Come with basic medications: Panadol or paracetamol can go a long way. Take care of yourself and don’t join any activity that’s too much for your body.
- Be prayerful: You’ll meet people from different spiritual backgrounds so you need to be prayerful if you’re the spiritual type. Some girls in my hostel acted funny sometimes that scares me.
- Have a backup plan: If you’re not from the North, you might feel sad about your posting and start pushing for relocation. That’s fine, but also plan ahead for the next course of action just in case it doesn’t work out.
Final Note About NYSC In Bauchi State
In conclusion, it’s not a bad idea to stay and finish your service in Bauchi State. In my honest opinion, it will help you save money for life after service. I spend about 20,000 naira monthly on food staples like rice, beans, spaghetti, tomatoes, potatoes, etc. This is affordable if you’re to factor in the current economic situation in the country.
Plan your life well so life won’t plan you. Don’t just follow the crowd. Be intentional about your decisions.
I wish you a wonderful and memorable stay in Bauchi.
📌 Important Notes from Another Bauchi Corps Member
My name is Adenike and I camped with 2025 Batch A Stream 2 at Wailo orientation camp. I found the above write-up quite helpful and I’d like to add a few updates based on my own experience.
First, the camp hall has now been completed but seating remains limited. There are only a few plastic chairs available which are usually reserved for the officials so most people sit on the benches. Your best bet is to build a good rapport with a vendor at Mami Market. During SAED lectures, some of them may allow you to borrow a chair. However, keep in mind that during the morning lecture (6am to 7am), you head straight to the hall directly from the morning drills. By then, chairs are scarce.
To avoid dealing with back pain from sitting without support, try to enter the hall early and secure a seat with a backrest.
The typical wake-up time at Bauchi NYSC camp is 3am with the beagle sounding by 4am for morning devotion. I personally got up at 2am to bathe early and avoid queues. Water taps are available, and they’re closer to the female hostels. I can’t say for certain how close they are to the males.
Later in the day, small Hausa boys within the camp can help fetch water for you at ₦100 per bucket. Don’t be overcharged because some might ask for ₦200 but ₦100 is the standard.
Food In NYSC Kitchen and Mammy
As for the food at Mammy market, the prices have gone up a bit. A plate of food now goes for around ₦1,300, and noodles cost between ₦1,000 and ₦1,200 depending on the vendor. Still, it’s quite affordable. I personally recommend Mama Ejima’s kitchen because her meals are well prepared and nicely portioned.
Go to Bauchi NYSC camp with a large food flask. Vendors serve generous portions and if your flask is too small, you may not be able to collect everything. It’s also a good idea to always have cash on hand if you plan to buy food since POS machines or transfers might not always be reliable.
About the camp kitchen, the food quality left a lot to be desired. Not even the Sunday jollof rice and chicken impressed me. I only went there whenever bread is on the breakfast menu. However, if you enjoy tuwo, the kitchen serves it regularly and the queue moves fairly quickly so no need to worry about long waits.
For female PCMs, be sure to pack sanitary pads suitable for heavy flow. Once everyone heads out after the sound of the bugle, getting back into the hostel to change can be difficult. Entry is often restricted due to cases of theft although some understanding hostel officers (like mine) do allow it.
General Tips For Bauchi NYSC Camp
Morning drills start by 5am and are they quite energizing. You’ll hear chants and songs from the Man O’ War that will have you smiling through the exercise.
Label all your belongings clearly with your state code. Everything from buckets to socks, and even spoons. It’s especially important not to bring a black bucket because everyone does and the chances of losing it is high. Go for a bucket that can fit under a bunk and is easily identifiable.
Be sure to go with sunscreen and a handkerchief. Also, bring a rope for drying your clothes unless you want to pay for laundry, which costs around ₦300 for a shirt and shorts. The rope is cheap and can also be bought in camp.
Though it’s true that many find love in camp, please approach relationships with wisdom. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Be cautious and intentional.
Overall, Bauchi NYSC camp life is fun and full of memories. Get involved in activities, take lots of pictures, and make friends. Even if one activity feels stressful, there are others you’ll enjoy. You might even meet someone who plays a role in your future, whether personally or professionally.
Soldiers on camp are approachable and I’ve seen some go out of their way to help corps members, including during the relocation process. Just be polite and respectful to everyone.
👉🏾 Note: Message on Whatsapp to process your medical fitness certificate which is a compulsory requirement for camp registration.
Finally, go with enough white-on-white outfits. If you’re assigned to the female hostel B3, note that it’s close to both the parade ground and Mammy market. But being close won’t shield you from the watchful eyes of the soldiers so don’t get too comfortable.
Thank you, and I hope this helps you prepare better for your camp experience.
❤️