Hi there, my name is Pleasant. I served in Lagos with the 2025 Batch A Stream. I decided to share my full experience at the Lagos NYSC camp because I know how confusing it can be when you don’t know what to expect.
Before I went, I kept searching online for real gist or proper guides but I didn’t find much that felt helpful or honest enough.
That’s why I’m writing this for you.
If you’ve been posted to Lagos or you’re just curious about what life in that camp is like, this will give you a clear picture. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
Before we get into the camp details, let me quickly tell you how my NYSC journey started.
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How My NYSC Journey Began
If you know NYSC well, you’d know they like to shift people around. Even after you register, you can still end up in a different stream or batch. That’s exactly what happened to me. I registered during the 2024 Batch C Stream 2 online registration in January 2025 but I got pushed to the next batch.
At first, I told myself I wouldn’t influence my posting. I wanted to let NYSC post me wherever and just take it as an adventure. But about two weeks before my call-up number came out, something happened that made me change my mind. I had to influence my posting and I ended up in Lagos.
So, what changed?
I had a chat with a friend who went to camp with Batch C Stream 2 and that conversation completely changed my mindset. He was posted to Lagos but his camp took place in Osun.
During SAED at the orientation camp, he joined a language group that kept running even after camp. They were learning foreign languages like German, Chinese, Spanish and French. The whole program runs for nine months so he’s doing it side by side with NYSC.
He told me the training costs only 6,500 naira per month. I had to ask him again just to be sure I heard right. Six thousand five hundred in this economy? That felt like a giveaway. The actual school, called George Richard Institute of Training, normally charges 65,000 monthly but they subsidised it heavily for corps members. The only catch is that you have to be posted to Lagos to enjoy that offer.
I’ve always wanted to learn new languages so this felt like a golden opportunity. A career boost I didn’t want to miss. That was what finally made me influence my posting to Lagos.
As I write this, I’m already one month into the training and I can honestly say it was a smart decision. I’m now able to speak French and Spanish. Not fluently yet but definitely not like someone starting from scratch.
A Brief Look At Lagos State
I wasn’t surprised when I got my NYSC call-up letter and saw that I was posted to Lagos. If you’re not familiar with Lagos, let me give you a quick picture.
I’ve lived here all my life. I was born and raised in Lagos, and even though I’ve visited about 16 other states, Lagos has always been home for me.
The state is full of different tribes and cultures that all live and work together. The Yoruba people are the main group here, especially the Awori who were the earliest settlers. You’ll also find other sub-groups like the Ogu (some people call them Egun) who still keep their coastal traditions alive and are known for their masquerade festivals. Then there’s the Ijebu and Ilaje communities who have a strong reputation for business and anything related to water and boats.
But Lagos isn’t just about Yoruba people. You’ll meet people from every part of Nigeria here. Igbo, Hausa, Edo, Ijaw and so many others have made this place their own. All of that has shaped the way people live here. It’s in the food, the markets, the languages people speak and even the way people relate with one another.
Arrival at Lagos NYSC Camp
I got to Lagos camp on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Right at the entrance, the first thing that hit me was the crowd of people selling buckets and other camp essentials. It was a lot. Even though many of those items are also sold inside the camp, the prices in there are higher. If you’re planning to go, it’s better to buy your things from home. It saves you stress and money.
Honestly, I expected to see a big impressive place but the camp didn’t exactly match that. Once you pass the gate, you’ll walk through a narrow road that takes you straight to the field and parade ground. The field is on the right side while the parade ground sits on the left.
The hostels for male and female corps members are just across from the parade ground. The Lagos NYSC camp, also known as Iyana Ipaja Camp, is really small. We were told it’s not the permanent site so there’s still hope that a better one will be built in the future.
Behind the hostels, there’s a mosque, a kitchen and a multipurpose hall. That hall later became an extra hostel for the guys because the orientation camp was overcrowded.
The Lagos NYSC camp space is so limited that the mammy market had to be set up right on the football field. So if you’re planning to play football during camp, just know that you won’t be doing the usual 11-a-side game. There’s only space for 8 players on each team because the market takes up part of the field.
Registration Process at Lagos NYSC Camp
At the gate, the security team asked for my call-up letter before letting me in. I found out later that this is their way of confirming you were actually posted to the camp. If you’re not supposed to be there, they won’t allow you in.
When it comes to camp registration, let me just say you need to ask questions before you go. I was lucky someone gave me a proper heads-up about how it works. If not, I might have cried on that parade ground. Even if your contact didn’t serve in Lagos, talking to someone who has been through NYSC will save you from a lot of stress.
Registration at the Lagos NYSC camp starts at the parade ground. That’s where they check your vitals like blood pressure and temperature to make sure you’re fit for camp activities.
If you arrive on the first day of camp, prepare to spend up to four hours in that section. Most of that time will be spent standing in the sun. The crowd is usually massive and things get messy fast. The soldiers try to control the situation but the process still gets disorganized. You’ll probably have to hustle your way to the front, especially if you don’t want to stand there forever.
Sometimes, you may not even finish registration on the first day because there are just too many people trying to register at once.
Once your vitals are checked, you’ll be given a clearance slip. That slip takes you to the next point which is behind the hostel. This is where the main registration happens. The crowd there is still large but the process moves a bit better than the parade ground.
Still on Camp Registration
You’ll queue again and stand in the sun so make sure you come prepared. Either bring your own water or have small cash with you to buy from the vendors nearby because the heat can get brutal. I didn’t really queue that long though. I kind of snuck in with small style. Almost got caught but God came through.
Inside the hall, you’ll be directed to your university’s geopolitical zone. That could be North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South or South West. My school falls under South West so I joined that queue. This line was shorter than the earlier ones. I won’t lie… I found my way to the front again. You know how it is nah.😀
When I got to the front, they asked for the required registration documents. These included my call-up letter, student ID card, degree certificate, green card, and medical fitness certificate, etc. If you forget any of these, there are cyber cafés inside the camp where you can print them as long as the soft copy is on your phone. But this does not apply to your academic certificate. They need to see the original copy for verification so make sure you bring it along.
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After I submitted my documents, I joined another queue for biometric verification. This was where they checked my fingerprint from the online registration. Mine was verified without any issues.
Once that was done, I moved on to collect a rope and tag that served as my temporary ID card. That was when I got to know my state code and the platoon I had been assigned to. The last number on your state code tells you your platoon. There are ten platoons in camp. So if your state code ends with 2, you’re in platoon 2. If it ends with 0, then you’re in platoon 10.
Accommodation, Kit Collection, and NYSC Account Opening
After all that, I headed to the hostel for accommodation. As expected, there was another queue. I didn’t get a space until later that night so I couldn’t finish the rest of the camp registration that same day.
The next morning, I went to open my NYSC bank account. The bank you use depends on your state code. Each platoon is assigned to a different bank so you just follow the one that matches yours.
After opening the account, I found my platoon officer at the designated stand and submitted my documents again so they could open a file for me. When that was sorted, I collected my NYSC kit. The kit usually includes a pair of jungle boots, tennis shoes, khaki uniform, NYSC crested T-shirt, one white vest and a pair of white shorts.
Now here’s something you should prepare for… the kit might not fit. You might get oversized items, undersized ones or if you’re lucky, something that fits just right. If yours doesn’t fit, you can try swapping with someone else who’s also looking for a better size. If that doesn’t work, you can take it to Mammy market to get it adjusted.
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Once you collect your kit, you’re expected to remove the clothes you came with and change into your white shirt and shorts immediately. From that point on, until the swearing-in ceremony, you’ll keep hearing yourself referred to as a prospective corps member. It’s only after the swearing-in that you officially become a corps member.
Lagos NYSC Camp Daily Routines
Once the swearing-in ceremony is over, your real camp life begins. From the Monday after you’re officially inducted to the last Monday before you leave, this is what your daily routine at the Lagos NYSC camp will mostly look like.
By 4:30 in the morning, soldiers and the Man O’ War team will come around your hostel to chase everyone out to the parade ground. No begging or delay. You just have to move.
Between 5:00 and 5:20 am, everyone recites the NYSC anthem, the national pledge and then stands for a short meditation. After that, the Camp Director usually addresses us. This happens around 5:20 to 5:40 am.
From 5:40 to 6:00 am, Muslims head to the mosque for prayers while Christians stay back for a quick worship and exhortation session.
Then comes morning drills from 6:00 to 6:15 am. Soldiers take over here and you’ll do a few light exercises. They usually play music in the background to keep the mood light.
After drills, Man O’ War takes over from 6:15 to 6:25 am. That was my favorite part. It’s more playful than intense and helps you loosen up a bit.
By 6:30 am, we’re given sensitization talks and that runs till 7:30 am. Then breakfast is served between 7:35 and 8:50 am.
After breakfast, SAED training and more lectures run from around 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. This part can feel long, but it’s part of camp life. When it ends, you’ll have lunch and then a little time to rest. That siesta time between 2:00 and 3:50 pm is golden. Try not to miss it.
By 4:00 pm, it’s time for parade practice. If your platoon is preparing for the inter-platoon competition, this is when the drills happen. On some days, sports activities like football or volleyball will also go on during this time.
Dinner is served around 6:40 pm and by 8:00 pm, variety night begins. This is the fun part of the day. Each platoon will take turns to entertain everyone, so expect games, dance, comedy and other forms of performance. By 10:00 pm, it’s over.
By 10:30 pm, lights are out and that’s the end of the day.
Sundays are a bit more relaxed. You’re free to sleep, worship or just hang out until 4:00 pm. But once it’s 4:00 pm, everyone must return to the parade ground for evening parade practice.
Before your welcome party, which usually happens on the first Saturday, you’ll spend your evenings watching NYSC movies. They’ll play them every night until the welcome party day.
12 Things You Should Know About Lagos NYSC Camp
If you’re headed to the Lagos NYSC camp, this quick rundown will give you a good idea of what to expect. Take it from someone who went through the process.
1. Social nights are not as glamorous as you think
Everyone hypes up social nights before camp, but the truth is, they’re mostly about dance competitions. They usually start late and the energy depends on how tired people are. During my own time, Boy Spyce and Charles Okocha came around, which was cool, but don’t expect celebrity appearances every night. Just go with an open mind and enjoy the fun when it comes.
2. You can actually make money in Lagos NYSC camp
Yes, you read that right. During SAED and other lectures, the facilitators sometimes ask questions and reward correct answers with small cash prizes. It’s not much but it adds up. Social nights also come with dance contests. If you’re lucky, they may give cash prizes to everyone who participates, not just the winners. So even if you can’t dance to save your life, showing up and vibing might earn you something.
3. Each platoon has its own service people
Do you need to fix your khaki, wash your clothes, or shape your hair? Your platoon probably has its own tailor, barber, and laundry plug. Most of them operate from Mami Market. Find someone reliable early so you’re not disappointed when you need them most.
4. Food is not cheap at Lagos NYSC camp
Forget what you heard about camp being affordable. At Lagos camp, food in Mami Market starts from around ₦1,500 and that’s just the basics. Bread is the only real budget option. If you don’t come with snacks or foodstuff, you’ll spend quite a bit on feeding. Just plan for it.
5. Every beagle sound means something
The camp trumpet, which is also called the beagle, is not just for vibes. Each sound has a meaning. One wakes you up in the morning. Another signals time for parade or meals. Over time, your ears will adjust and you’ll know what’s what without thinking too hard.
6. There’s a camp court and it’s very real
If you break camp rules, especially the serious ones, you might end up at the Lagos NYSC camp court. It’s not just a joke or a scare tactic. I saw people punished there for missing parade or dressing wrongly so do your best to avoid getting into that kind of trouble.
7. Dress how they want, not how you feel
In Lagos NYSC camp, soldiers take dressing seriously. Your ID card, cap, belt and white-on-white outfit must be worn properly, especially during morning parade. If not, you could get punished. The camp is not about fashion. Just obey the rules and save yourself the stress.
8. Join a Group if you want a good PPA
Getting posted to a good PPA after camp sometimes depends on your camp involvement. Units like OBS, Band, Red Cross, and Medics usually have some influence. I joined the band and played trumpet, and I got posted somewhere decent. So pick a department early, stay active and let them know you.
9. Lagos NYSC Camp will stress you, full stop
No matter how prepared you think you are, NYSC camp will test you. The drills, sun, queue, early morning beagle, and general routine will wear you out. Just embrace it with a good attitude. It helps if you don’t take everything too seriously.
10. Talk to people
Don’t isolate yourself. Interact with other corps members from your platoon or even outside it. I made friends in the band, from different platoons, and even a few soldiers. I met this talented lady in camp and we still talk now. We attend the same language class every Saturday. Who knows where the connection will lead? The point is, meet people. Some friendships might surprise you.
11. SAED is not a waste of time
People always say SAED is boring but I didn’t find it that bad. In fact, many of the sessions were useful. They teach things like digital skills, fashion, agriculture and more. You might not love every class but try to pay attention. You never know what skill might come in handy later.
12. Don’t be rude to soldiers
If you think you’re too tough to be corrected or shouted at, Lagos NYSC camp might humble you. Soldiers can be harsh but don’t respond with pride or attitude. Arguing or talking back will only escalate things. It’s not worth it. Stay respectful and move on with your day.
So yeah, that was Lagos NYSC camp through my eyes. It’s not perfect, but definitely not a disaster either.
If you’re headed there, I hope this helped you feel a bit more ready. Camp can be overwhelming, especially at first, but once you settle in, you’ll find your rhythm.
My advice is that you shouldn’t try to “survive” it. Instead, you should try to live it.
Meet people. Try something new. Laugh when things go sideways. Because one day soon, you’ll be telling your own story… and you’ll want it to be one worth remembering.
Has this been helpful for you? Drop a comment below.