What My Edo NYSC Experience Was Really Like

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for information about Edo NYSC, this article shares the firsthand experience of a corps member who served in the state. From orientation camp and accommodation to PPA, cost of living and safety, you’ll get a practical idea of what serving in Edo State is really like. Keep in mind that individual experiences may vary depending on where you’re posted.

Every prospective corps member imagines how their NYSC year will begin. Some hope to be posted close to home while others have a dream state in mind. I wasn’t any different.

As a teenager, I had always admired the NYSC scheme. There was something about wearing the khaki that made me look forward to service. So when I eventually graduated, I couldn’t wait for my call up letter.

I was deployed to Edo State for the 2026 Batch A Stream 1 orientation exercise. Although it wasn’t my preferred state, I decided to embrace the experience. Looking back now, I can honestly say it turned out to be one of the best parts of my NYSC journey.

If you’ve been posted to Edo State or you’re hoping to serve there in the future, here’s what my experience was like.

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Arriving at the Edo NYSC Orientation Camp

The Edo State NYSC orientation camp is located in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area. One thing you’ll notice immediately is that the camp is directly opposite Igbinedion University, making it quite easy to identify.

I arrived at the camp a day before registration officially began. To my surprise, I met some PCMs who had arrived two days earlier just to avoid the rush. The following morning, registration started very early. Like every other PCM, my luggage was checked for prohibited items before I was allowed into the registration area.

The registration process itself was well organised. We were given instructions on how to arrange our documents before officials verified them one after the other.

After document verification came the computer registration stage where I received my state code. Every corps member gets a unique state code that identifies their state of service and platoon throughout the service year.

The next stage was opening a bank account before proceeding to collect the NYSC kits. Thankfully, my kits fitted well. If you’ve heard stories about oversized khaki or jungle boots that don’t fit, you’ll know that’s something many corps members don’t get lucky with.

Overall, the registration process was quite smooth. The only real delay came during the bank account opening because of network issues. Apart from that, everything moved faster than I expected and I completed my registration before 1 p.m.

For registration, I submitted the usual documents required by NYSC, including my call up letter, Green Card, addendum, university certificate and medical fitness certificate. Since I studied Nursing, I also submitted my professional licence, certificate of registration and notification of registration.

An Unexpected Responsibility

Shortly after completing my registration, I was directed to report to the camp clinic because I was a medical corps member. That simple instruction completely changed how I experienced orientation camp.

Since I happened to be the first nurse to report, I was appointed the Chief Nursing Officer of the camp clinic.

I honestly didn’t expect that.

While many corps members spent most of their time participating in camp activities, my daily routine became completely different. Instead of rehearsals and competitions, I spent most of my time attending to patients and supporting the medical team.

Although the responsibility came with plenty of work, it also gave me a unique opportunity to experience camp from a completely different perspective.

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Life at the Edo NYSC Orientation Camp

Working at the camp clinic meant I saw a different side of orientation camp that many corps members probably didn’t.

The clinic is a 20 bed facility with a pharmacy and laboratory. There is also an eye clinic, although it wasn’t fully functional because of limited equipment.

Medical emergencies were a regular part of our day. We treated corps members, NYSC officials, security personnel and even traders from Mammy Market. Some cases were minor while others had to be referred to hospitals for specialised care.

As members of the medical team, we worked morning, afternoon and night shifts. Since there weren’t enough nurses, the workload was quite heavy. Being the Chief Nursing Officer made the responsibility even greater.

Because I spent most of my time at the clinic, I missed many of the popular camp activities. At first, I felt disappointed because I wanted the full orientation camp experience like everyone else. Interestingly, after hearing fellow corps members complain about the endless drills, parades and other camp routines, I began to appreciate the role I had been given.

Like every orientation camp, ours also ended on a memorable note. We organised a party, carried out a project for the clinic, which has become a tradition over the years, and took a group photograph with the NYSC officials. The framed photograph is still displayed in the clinic as a reminder of our set.

Accommodation and Feeding in Edo NYSC Camp

The camp accommodation was fairly decent. There were separate hostels for male and female corps members. The female section had about ten halls while the male section had nine. Each hall contained bunk beds as well as its own toilets and bathrooms.

One thing that stood out throughout the Edo NYSC camp was the steady water supply. The camp’s main source of water is popularly called the “Water of Life” because it hardly runs dry. It quickly became one of the things many corps members appreciated during the three week orientation exercise.

When it came to food, I mostly ate the meals provided by the camp kitchen. Because of that, I didn’t spend much money on feeding. Throughout camp, I spent roughly ₦25,000 in total.

For anyone who prefers buying food at Mammy Market, an average plate of rice cost around ₦1,500 during my orientation, while a bag of sachet water sold for about ₦500.

Another small benefit of working at the clinic was that we didn’t have to join the long food queues. A health attendant usually collected meals for members of the medical team whenever it was time to eat.

What Happens After Camp?

Like every orientation course, the next big moment came when posting letters were released. I was posted to the 107 Air Maritime Group, Nigerian Air Force Medical Centre in Benin City for my primary assignment.

On the day we left camp, the Edo State Government provided about 17 coaster buses to transport corps members to their respective zonal offices for documentation. Since Edo has 18 local government areas, it meant there was roughly one bus for each zone.

Naturally, not everyone could get a seat. I wasn’t lucky enough to board one of the buses but commercial vehicles were already waiting outside the camp to convey corps members to different parts of the state.

After arriving at my PPA, I was instructed to report to the Headquarters to get my acceptance letter.

I also discovered that the corpers’ lodge was already full. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, I was informed that another accommodation had been arranged for me. To my surprise, it turned out to be even better than the regular corpers’ lodge.

The apartment was a fully furnished one bedroom flat which I shared with another corps member. It was comfortable and made settling into life in Benin much easier.

There were about 20 corps members serving within the 107 Air Maritime Group. While some of us worked at the medical centre, others served at the primary school or at the Air Force Headquarters itself.

It was the beginning of another experience that turned out to be just as memorable as orientation camp.

Serving at My Primary Place of Assignment

One of the things that made my service year memorable was my PPA. I served at the 107 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air Force Medical Centre in Benin City, and from the moment I resumed, the environment was welcoming.

The officers didn’t treat corps members like outsiders. Instead, they made deliberate efforts to integrate us into their system. We participated in weekly sporting activities alongside military personnel, except when we were on duty or had a valid reason to be absent.

Every three months, we also joined them for their routine 10 kilometre march. It was physically demanding but also a good way to build discipline and stay active.

Corps members were equally invited whenever there were social events at the Officers’ Mess. It wasn’t just a place for officers to relax. It also served as a venue for important gatherings and celebrations.

Serving there came with several benefits that made life easier.

One of the biggest advantages was the steady electricity supply. Power was available almost throughout the day which also meant there was regular water supply. After hearing stories from friends serving in other places, I realised how much of a privilege that was.

Another benefit was access to the gym. Corps members could use it free of charge, which was a welcome bonus for anyone interested in keeping fit.

The Free Air Force Flights

The 107 Air Maritime Group operates local flights for official assignments using the ATR 42 500 aircraft.

Although these flights are primarily meant for military personnel on official duties, corps members and even relatives of personnel are sometimes allowed to join whenever there is available space and they are travelling along the same route.

I made sure I took advantage of that opportunity whenever I could. It remains one of the most unforgettable parts of my service year and certainly not something many corps members get to experience.

Another tradition I admired was how outgoing corps members were celebrated.

At the end of every service year, the command organised a proper send off ceremony. The Commander attended whenever official duties permitted, gifts were presented to departing corps members and each person received a recommendation letter.

The serving corps members also organised their own farewell celebration, making the departure even more memorable.

Cost of Living in Benin City

Living in Benin City came with a few adjustments. The first thing I noticed was the cost of transportation.

It wasn’t unusual to pay one fare while going somewhere and be charged a completely different amount when returning through the same route.

Prices of some everyday items also felt higher than I expected.

To help reduce transportation costs, the Edo State Government introduced coaster buses that charged less than commercial vehicles. While that was helpful, the buses only operated on specific routes and at certain times. They weren’t always available when you needed them most.

The weather was another thing I had to get used to.

On some days, the weather was calm and pleasant. On others, it changed almost without warning. Bright sunshine could suddenly give way to heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms.

If you’re posted to Edo State, carrying an umbrella and protecting yourself from the sun will save you a lot of stress.

Advice for PCMs Posted to Edo State

Like many cities, Benin has its fair share of security concerns. You may hear stories about cult activities, kidnapping and other crimes. While I won’t dismiss those concerns completely, I also believe it’s important not to let fear define your experience.

My advice is that you should be security conscious. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially when using public transport.

Avoid unnecessary arguments and don’t involve yourself in situations that don’t concern you. Most importantly, use common sense and follow the safety guidelines provided by NYSC and your PPA.

Don’t Feel Bad About Your State of Deployment

One thing I learnt during my service year is that every state has its own challenges and its own pleasant surprises. Although Edo State wasn’t my preferred posting at first, it gradually became a place I genuinely enjoyed serving.

One experience that stayed with me happened shortly after I resumed at my PPA. I was trying to locate the place when a complete stranger offered to take me there without asking for anything in return.

Given the security stories people often share, I was hesitant at first. In the end, I accepted the help and everything went smoothly. It reminded me that while caution is necessary, there are still many kind people willing to help.

If I could relive my NYSC year, there’s only one thing I would change. I would make more time to participate in camp activities.

Because of my responsibilities at the clinic, I missed many moments that other corps members still talk about today. Even though I gained valuable experience as a medical corps member, I now realise that orientation camp is a once in a lifetime experience that should be enjoyed as much as possible.

Looking back, serving in Edo State turned out to be one of the best parts of my NYSC journey. I arrived with mixed feelings because it wasn’t my preferred state, but I left with unforgettable memories, valuable lessons and experiences I’ll always be grateful for.

Sometimes, your NYSC posting may not be where you hoped to serve, but it could end up giving you exactly the experience you never knew you needed.

My name is Habeebat. Thanks for reading!