This is my experience at the Sokoto NYSC Camp. I remember scrolling through Local Man’s channel, reading other people’s NYSC camp stories, and wondering what mine would be like. Now it’s my turn to tell it.
I’m Yusuff Rakiya and I was posted to Wamakko Orientation Camp in Sokoto State. I want to share what my days there were like, the little lessons I picked up along the way, and a few thoughts that might help you if you ever find yourself heading to camp in Sokoto.
Sokoto is in the northwestern part of Nigeria and it is rich in history, culture and Islamic scholarship. The capital is also called Sokoto, a name that comes from a Hausa word meaning market or trading center.
It is home to the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, so you will find that the state is mostly Muslim with the Hausa people as the dominant tribe. If you have an interest in history, culture, farming or Islamic studies, this is a place that will catch your attention.
The NYSC Registration Process and Posting
My NYSC story really began on April 7th 2025 when I completed my online registration after my school mobilized us. It was stressful and a bit messy as expected but being ready ahead of time made things easier. I registered for Batch A Stream 1 but somehow got moved to Stream 2 which was two months later.
On June 9th around 4 in the morning, I opened my dashboard and saw my posting letter. In there, I saw my state of posting as Sokoto. I just stared for a moment and said “Wow.”
The first thing that hit me was the thought of the famous Sokoto heat. I didn’t see it coming at all but I took a deep breath, said a short prayer and accepted it.
Getting ready for Sokoto NYSC camp meant putting all the required documents in order. Call-up letter, green card, addendum, medical fitness certificate and a few others. Always carry the originals with photocopies because camp officials will ask for both.
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Thanks to the tips I got from Local Man’s NYSC WhatsApp channel, I decided to pack light. I didn’t want to stress myself with too many bags on the road.
The Journey To Sokoto NYSC Camp
I set out for Sokoto on 11th June 2025, the very day camp opened. The trip from Kaduna took about nine hours. I was the only prospective corps member on the bus but the other passengers made it easy. They shared stories and cracked jokes that helped the hours pass.
Once we entered Zamfara, my mood changed. The dry empty stretches of land and the state’s security reputation made me uneasy. There were many checkpoints along the way and then suddenly our driver started moving faster. I noticed other buses doing the same. My heart pounded and I prayed quietly the whole time.
It was only later that I understood the drivers knew the road well and were just trying to get to a safer spot quickly. The moment we left the deserted areas behind and the view started to look more lively, I felt a heavy weight lift off my chest. I was grateful we had crossed the toughest part of the journey.
If you are travelling to any NYSC orientation camp, remember you have only three days from the opening date to report. Miss that and you will be turned back. Try to arrive on or before the swearing-in day so you do not run into any last-minute trouble.
Arrival and Registration at Sokoto NYSC Camp
I got to camp around 8 in the evening after our bus broke down on the way. I was tired but impressed to see camp officials still on duty. Registration in camp runs all day and night so even if you arrive in the middle of the night, someone will still attend to you.
While waiting to start my registration, I met a few other people and we clicked almost immediately. It felt good to have familiar faces around in a place that was completely new to me.
At the gate they searched my bag for items that were not allowed. I felt better when they said anything they took would be returned at the end of camp. Once that was done I showed my call-up letter and filled in some forms. They even gave me a cold bottle of coke which was a small but welcome gesture after the long journey.
Next stop was the hostel for clearance where I got a mattress. It was old and flat and there were no pillows. Luckily, I had brought a small blanket from home which I quickly decided would serve as my pillow.
Sokoto NYSC Camp Accommodation
The camp had only one functional female hostel and one male hostel. It wasn’t the most comfortable place but you could live in it. My friends and I were the first to get into our room which had space for 32 people.
The hostel was one long block with about 11 rooms, if I remember well. We quickly picked a bunk and I went for a corner at the far end by the window because it gave me a bit of privacy. The room had its own problems though. Some of the fans didn’t work, a few sockets were dead and the door had no proper lock.
The toilets and bathrooms were okay most of the time except when a few girls messed things up. There were taps outside but you had to be ready to queue since the water wasn’t always running.
Once I settled in, I made my bed, fixed my mosquito net and kept my things safe. Then I headed out to continue my registration.
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Wamakko Orientation Camp Registration and Documentation
When I got to the registration hall in Sokoto NYSC camp, I handed in the extra documents they asked for, did my biometric verification and got my state code. The last number on it was zero which meant I was in Platoon 10.
It was already around midnight when I finished that first round of registration. I headed straight to the mami market to find something to eat. For 1,200 naira, I bought rice and beans with stew and meat. Even at that late hour the camp was still alive with noise and movement.
After eating, I went back to the hostel and managed to catch a few hours of sleep. By 3 am, I was awake again arranging my things, fetching water before the queues started, taking my bath and getting ready for the day.
At 4:30 am the bugle sounded for morning devotions but I was already set. I had heard plenty of talk about how early things start here so I was ready for it.
Morning Devotions and Announcements
As a Muslim I went to the mosque for prayers. The place was well-built and even had praying hijabs for those who needed them. The Christians had their devotions at the parade ground. When we were done we all gathered there for the morning assembly. We sang the national anthem, the NYSC anthem, said the pledge and prayed. Then came the announcements from the State Coordinator, the soldiers, the OBS team and a few others.
By 6am, a soldier blew the trumpet to officially kick off the day. In Sokoto that moment is like saying Nigeria don wake. Everyone was expected to stand at attention without moving an inch. By then the sun was already hot and the Sokoto flies were fully awake too. Later in the evening by 6pm, the flag was lowered. They call it “Nigeria wan sleep.”
Registration and Camp Activities
After the morning announcements, we moved straight to drills with the Man O’ War crew, followed by a short parade from the soldiers. I still had to finish my registration, so I went to my platoon officer. I submitted my documents, collected my NYSC kit, meal ticket and ID card.
The whites shirts were manageable, but the khaki and jungle boots were another matter entirely. My boots were way too big and nobody wanted to swap, so I went back to the store to try my luck. I still didn’t get my exact size. That was not my lucky day. I ended up spending 2000 naira to slim fit the khaki so it would actually fit me.
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Next was opening a bank account. The bank you use will depend on your state code, and you’ll need your passport photograph, NIN and BVN. Make sure there’s no issue with your NIN or BVN because it can hold up your account opening.
Cost of Living at Sokoto NYSC Camp
Before changing into my white-on-white outfit, I decided to take a quick look around the mami market. Prices of food and photocopying were fair, especially since it’s in the northern part of the country.
A decent meal could go for as low as 1200 naira. A bag of pure water was 300 naira, while a sachet of chilled water was 50 naira. Photocopying was 50 naira per page, and printing ranged from 100 to 300 naira.
What I didn’t find reasonable at the camp were the charges for laundry and shoe repair. They felt a bit overpriced. After my short tour, I changed into my whites, signed the “book of life” (a giant register for all corps members) and joined the camp activities.
If you like, you can join camp groups like the Red Cross, OBS or quarter guard once you’re done with registration. Local Man’s channel has more details about what each group does.
Daily Camp Schedule at Sokoto NYSC Camp
At the Sokoto NYSC camp, the day really kicks off when the bugle sounds for breakfast at 7:30 am. That sharp tune has a way of lightening up everyone’s mood. I would grab my meal ticket, food flask and cup, then head straight to the kitchen. The queue usually moved fast and before long I would be back in the hostel to eat.
Some meals were alright but there were days the quality and quantity left me wishing for more. This is why having extra cash in camp is a lifesaver. The mammy market always had something tasty and filling to make up for what the kitchen couldn’t offer.
From 9am to 1pm, we had Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training. The idea behind it was great and some sessions were interesting but the lectures could be boring. Many people dozed off and the soldiers didn’t seem to mind as long as there was no noise.
The only downside was the seating. There was no proper hall so we sat on a small podium with hard concrete slabs. Sitting there for hours with no backrest could be tough so a wrapper or small mat came in handy. It made it easier to sit through the sessions or even catch a quick nap.
Afternoon and Evening Activities
- The rest of the day went like this:
- 2pm to 4pm was lunch and rest. This was the longest break of the day and honestly my favourite.
- 4pm to 6:30pm was for games and parade training.
- 7pm to 8pm was dinner.
- 8pm to 10pm was social night where people showcased different talents.
- At exactly 10pm, the lights went out.
Social nights were fun in the first few days. The music, the dance, the laughter, it all made camp feel lively. But after a while, I just wanted to skip it and sleep. By the time the day ended, my bed felt like the best place in the world.
Swearing-In Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony came on the third day of camp which happened to be a Friday. It’s one of those days that feels big and official. Everyone was in their neat khaki, standing tall and looking like they had been corps members forever even though it had only been a few days.
You take the oath that day and that’s the moment you officially become a corps member. The whole thing happens on the parade ground so be ready to stand for a long time. By then you will remember all the small drills they taught you, even how to remove and wear your cap the “right” way.
Sundays were easily my best days at Sokoto NYSC camp. No trumpet waking us up at 4:30 am, no drills, no stress. I could just stay in the hostel, sleep as much as I wanted, and get my head together. You don’t have to wear any uniform until 2pm when it was time for lunch. I would just pull on my whites to collect my food and go back to my space. Sundays felt like breathing after a long swim.
Applying for Relocation in Camp
Once the swearing-in ceremony is over the relocation portal usually opens the following week. This is the chance for anyone who is not happy with their state posting to ask for a change.
I didn’t have the money for direct posting before camp and I still couldn’t afford to pay Local Man for DG relocation so I went through the normal process.
You fill in the form online, choose your reason for relocating, and upload whatever documents they ask for. After that there is nothing else to do except wait and pray the approval comes through.
Sokoto NYSC Camp Activities
Sokoto NYSC camp was always full of life. There were football matches for the guys and volleyball games for the ladies. Cultural displays, drama performances, parade competitions, cooking battles and even pageants like Miss NYSC and Mr Macho kept the camp buzzing.
Those three weeks were packed. Preparation was everything for me and I was glad I had read Local Man’s posts before coming. They gave me a good idea of what to expect and made it easier to handle each phase of the program.
The Fun and the Not-So-Fun Moments
Parade practice was one of the things I genuinely enjoyed. Watching my platoon members march in their different styles always made me smile. I also made friends with some of the instructors. Of course, there were small arguments within the platoon. That one is normal. Being the last platoon meant we rarely won anything so I started joking that maybe we were under a curse. Still, we kept pushing.
After weeks of teasing from other platoons, we decided to give our best in the parade competition and that day everything changed. Platoon 10, the underdogs, came first. We carried our cup and cheque of 250,000 naira like champions.
Carnival Day was another highlight. The cultural displays were beautiful and every platoon came prepared to win. In Sokoto NYSC camp, you are not allowed to wear English clothes for the carnival. It must be traditional attire.
That night, the NYSC kitchen did not serve food. Instead, each platoon got some food items to cook. The quantity and quality were not great so we contributed money and bought extra from outside.
People showed off their cooking skills. I mostly stayed aside watching while others took over. At least the food turned out edible.
The Scorching Weather in Sokoto
The heat in the State is intense and this was felt at the Sokoto NYSC camp. I battled with heat rashes so I kept visiting the clinic and tried to bathe at least three times a day when water was available. The hostel had water but it was not constant. Whenever there were long queues, I would stroll to the guys’ hostel where the taps outside worked better and politely ask someone to help me fill my bucket. My 17-litre bucket was a lifesaver. If you are coming to Sokoto and your buckets are small, just bring two. You will thank me later.
One night during lights out, soldiers stormed into our room banging on bunks. I was deep asleep but their noise woke me immediately. My heart was pounding. They ordered us to wear our white uniform and gather outside. There was no time to ask questions. We dressed in a rush and ran out.
Outside, we sat on the muddy ground still in our whites. Later, we heard the punishment was because some girls had been bathing outside against the rules. It was a hard reminder that one person’s actions can affect everyone.
A Frightening Storm
One evening, the unbearable heat suddenly gave way to a cloudy sky. The lightning flashed in strange colors and I found myself praying as I rushed back to the hostel. The wind was so strong it was hard to walk and the darkness made it worse. We avoided trees and finally reached the hostel, still shouting in shock over what had just happened.
Then the rain came. It was heavy, the kind that soaks you to the bone in seconds. It destroyed some things in camp but thankfully no one was hurt. Locals said it was the first rain of the year.
Some Hacks for Sokoto NYSC Camp
I found a way to keep my spending low in camp. Looking back now, I think I spent less than 15,000 naira in total because I cut my coat according to my size. I brought most of my basic things from home since things in camp were expensive.
The main things I spent on were food once in a while from the mami market, laundry, cold water to survive the heat, charging my gadgets and platoon contributions.
In order to avoid losing my stuff, I wrote the last four digits of my state code on all my camp items with a permanent marker. My bucket, bailer, food flask and water bottle were also marked. I didn’t go for the usual black bucket. Instead, I chose a brown one so it would stand out. It was later I found out that one could rent items like buckets and nets from the religious groups in camp like MCAN (Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria).
Important Camp Rules to Remember
During your stay at the Sokoto NYSC camp, you’re to note the following rules:
- Social Media Etiquette: Think twice before you post anything from camp on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, or any other platform. Sharing negative comments, embarrassing pictures, or videos of camp life might seem harmless at first, but camp officials view such content as a direct violation of camp rules which can lead to disciplinary action. If you must share, stick to positive or neutral updates that won’t put you in trouble.
- Dress Code: The white-on-white uniform and cap are not just for show. They are part of your identity as a corps member in camp. You’re expected to wear them at all times during official hours, whether you’re on the parade ground, in lectures, or moving around camp. Not following this rule can get you into avoidable trouble with soldiers or officials. Keep your kit clean and presentable because inspections happen often.
- Active Participation: The camp program is packed with drills, lectures, parades, games, and other activities designed to keep you active and involved. Skipping them or staying idle can make you stand out for the wrong reasons. Participation also helps you meet people, learn new things, and enjoy the camp experience instead of counting down the days in boredom.
- Beware of Theft: Stealing in camp is taken very seriously, and offenders face strict punishment. But even if you’re not a thief, be smart about protecting your belongings. Lock your box, keep your phone and money close, and avoid leaving valuables lying around in the hostel. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Good Behavior: The camp is a communal environment, so the way you treat people matters. Respect soldiers, officials, fellow corps members, and even the locals around camp. Your behavior here can influence your posting.
Passing Out Parade
The Passing Out Parade from Sokoto NYSC camp was one of those moments that felt sweet and sad at the same time. That morning, we had our last camp breakfast before returning our mattresses and meal tickets. Then our platoon officers handed us our PPA posting letters. That was when we found out if our relocation requests went through or not.
After that, we changed into our normal clothes because traveling in khaki was not allowed for safety reasons.
Before setting out, it was important to check our relocation status on the NYSC dashboard just to be sure. The camp also arranged buses to take people to their new states of posting.
If you’re not relocating, the next thing was to report to your PPA in khaki. If you are relocating, then confirming your status before joining the bus was a must. I checked mine and was happy to see that it worked out in my favor.
The trip back to Kaduna from Sokoto would take about ten hours. I decided not to join the camp bus because it left late, around 11am after the ceremony. The passengers usually stopped around 6pm on the way to pass the night and continued the next day.
Those passing through Zamfara were even escorted by soldiers at different points for safety. I preferred not to break my journey, so I stayed the night with accommodation arranged by the Muslim religious bodies in camp. The Christian fellowship also provided the same for their members. I left early the next morning around 7am and got to Kaduna safely by 4pm.
Advice For Prospective Corps Members
Life in Sokoto NYSC camp will introduce you to all kinds of people. Some will make your days brighter and some might test your patience. The main thing is to survive the stress, enjoy the fun parts, and not let little things get to you.
Prepare well, keep yourself updated, and make smart choices along the way. If you can, follow Local Man’s updates on his WhatsApp channel. I mentioned him a few times in this story because his updates really helped me and I believe they will help you too.
I wish you the best as you start your service year. Drop your questions or comments in the box below.
🤞