Reporting LIVE from NYSC 2025 Batch A Stream 2 is Our Global Blogger!!! Corpers we? Wa!😂🥰🥳
Stands on an overturned bucket and taps microphone:
Hi, my name is Janet Reuben Okon. I am a Writer, Inspirational, Lifestyle, Health and Wellness Blogger and Human Anatomist.
First of all, I want to thank God for how far He has brought us in life because we are officially in our NYSC era 💃 What a journey! I’m so excited! 🎉 Let’s go!!! 🥳🥳🥳
Let me be very honest with you, my NYSC journey actually started in March 2024. That’s when I first filled out the form for NYSC and submitted it to my department. Hours, days, months and a year passed, and we received no good news from my department regarding NYSC. Being a graduate of a federal university is realizing how much time (years) it takes to move to a new level; from ASUU strike, COVID year to this one year and two months at home. It was a very challenging period and a key message I held on to was Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
In May 2025, my name was finally released on the senate’s matriculation and NYSC list. At this point, I could finally register for NYSC. Then, the NYSC portal was opened and I successfully registered on the first day. Due to network issues and the large number of graduates that were registering nationwide, the NYSC portal was very slow to function. Registration is one of the most stressful parts of this whole NYSC process. Then my call-up number was out. A few days before camp opened, I got sick. I lost appetite for food, I could barely leave my bed and I experienced body weakness. I was always vomiting, my temperature was high and it made me think of only one thing-being alive. I was placed on medications and I started feeling stronger and better. This is why I took a break from blogging. I missed talking to you all 🥺🥺❤️.
During the pre-nysc period, I had the heaviest flow of menstruation. This is when I thought the world was about to end, but guess what? We are ALL alive and healthy today to view my NYSC blog series and explore this new phase of life with me. I’m so happy!!! 💃Thank you, God! 🥰
In this blog post, I will also share the key details about the NYSC scheme and part one of my NYSC camp experience 🥳🥳🥳
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a mandatory post-tertiary scheme set up by the Nigerian government on 22 May 1973 during the military regime of the Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, to “reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil War”. Since 1973, graduates of universities and polytechnics (below age 30) have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps program for one year. This is known as the “national service year.”
The Four Main Segments of the National Youth Service Corps Year
The National Youth Service Corps Year comprises of four main segments in which every corps member must participate before he/she is qualified to be issued a certificate of national service. The service year therefore comprises of:
(1) Orientation Course: A National Youth Service Corps Year starts with a 3-week orientation course and it’s compulsory for all Nigerian graduates mobilized for national service. The course lasts for three weeks and is designed to equip Corps members with practical social and leadership skills that will enable them to meet the challenges of the service year.
(2) Primary Assignment: At the end of the orientation, Corps Members are posted to their place of primary assignment (PPA). The NYSC Management considers the areas of specialization of Corps members carrying out the posting exercise.
(3) Community Development Service: The Community Development Service (CDS) is aimed at harnessing the skills, creativity and innovativeness of Corps members. Through this program, Corps members can launch successful campaigns, sensitization and other projects.
(4) Winding-Up/Passing Out: At the end of the service year (usually at the 12 months), corps members are gathered in their respective zones for assessment of the service year, debriefing and presentation of NYSC certificate. The Corps Members are paid ₦77,000 monthly by the Federal Government.
OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS:
The objectives of the National Youth Service Corps Program are enumerated in Decree No. 51 of the 1993 Constitution.
Here are a few:
✨To develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration.
✨To remove prejudices, eliminate ignorance, and confirm first-hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.
✨To enable Nigerian youths to acquire the spirit of self-reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self-employment.
But there have been some problems (criticism) faced by NYSC. Here are a few:
💭The program has been met with criticism from a large portion of the country and complaints from corps members about their remuneration.
According to a report by Premium Times on January 22, 2013, “A few youth carrying out the NYSC program have been killed in the regions where they were sent due to religious, ethnic or political violence,” and “ex-corps members, victims of the Suleja bomb blast, accuse Jonathan administration of neglect.”
💭Besides security issues, many have questioned the continued importance of the program and have called for a dialogue in this regard.
A bill sponsored by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abianre, who listed insecurity, the incessant killing of corps members, and the inability of firms to retain corps members after service due to the failing economy as some reasons why NYSC should be scrapped.
Some Nigerians feel the scheme has lost its use and should be scrapped to avoid endangering the lives of innocent Nigerians to insecurity and unnecessary one year stress.
With all these challenges and reasons for NYSC, why did I decide to serve my mother land?
💭My number one reason is because I am a Nigerian and I have Nigerian parents 😭.
💭To fulfill my purpose in life.
💭NYSC certificate is a requirement for job applications in Nigeria.
💭To further my career and move to a new city.
💭To explore life, meet new people and try new things.
💭It’s a once in a lifetime experience. I believe, “Life is an experience and it’s meant to be experienced, and that means experiencing NYSC.”
On 11th June 2025 (Camp Opening Day), I traveled to Rivers State and arrived at the orientation camp located at Nonwa Gbam Tai 🥳. I carried two boxes 🤭 to the camp (it actually served me very well, and I’m glad I carried two boxes 😌). The first activity once you enter the orientation camp is luggage search by the army staff at the left wing of the camp. Then, you get your temporary state code tag at the right wing of the camp (make sure you keep the tag safe because it will be requested for before you can be given your permanent state code). Afterward, you carry out your medical and hostel clearance. An important thing to note: try to get a good space (corner bed, down bunk 🥰) and big foam ☺️ because this is one of the things that will make your stay at the camp enjoyable. Lay your bed immediately so that you’re sure that your foam is safe, and then go to the registration hall and complete your registration. The registration process for me took three days! 3 most stressful days of my camp life. For the first two days, I spent my whole day at the hall. And again, what I will say is that “registration is one of the activities that makes NYSC very stressful.”
On the third day, I attended my first parade 😍. This was the first time I wore my NYSC cap, white top, short and white canvas. As a result of daily parade, I had a swollen big toe, a boil on my second toe, leg pain, and muscle pull. This is when I knew that I, Janet Reuben Okon, will not participate in parade again. Although I got a new bigger canvas but I needed to let my leg heal. This, my darlings, was a brutal experience. The army staff clearly enjoyed the parade very much and that’s how one of them yelled at me and made me scared on the third day. The next day, he apologized when he realized that I avoided him. I can never forget this: on the first day of camp, the army staff made us run under heavy rain very early in the morning 😭. Rain showered my hair, cloths, shoe and everything! It was on this day that I realized that this is a do or die affair because NYSC anthem says, “under the sun or in the rain”. I starred deep into the thin space and wondered why I signed up for this brutal life 😩😭
On the fourth day of camp, I had my inauguration ceremony, aka swearing-in ceremony 😍🥰🥳. When I got my Khaki shirt, trouser and crested vest, it swallowed me 🤣. I had to amend it. The NYSC shoe was a bit bigger than my actual size, so I didn’t need to amend it. Key things to note: Try to get your NYSC uniform earlier, maybe on the second day or early third day, so you can amend or change it to fit your taste. My parents called to remind me to snap pictures and record videos 😂 (I can confirm that this NYSC was all about my parents reminding me to document the journey, share with them and make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience 😂). It was at this point that I realized that my parents love documenting memories more than I do 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Congratulations to my darling roommates 🥰🥳This video made me laugh so much 😂😂😂😂😂 Everyone knew and felt how deep I love documenting memories on this today 🥰🥰.
A start of a new phase, year and journey. God, I’m so grateful 🙏🏽❤️
I obeyed the clarion’s call to serve in a country called Nigeria. Corpers we? Wa!
Wa wa? We we! We pin ground! 🤣🥳
And this is how I officially became Corper Janet! 🥰🥰🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
We had our first social night later that day 🎉🎉One thing about me? I must enjoy myself 😂.
This can only be from platoon 3 😂😂😂. Enjoyment 🤝 My Platoon🥳. They just know my vibe 🤣.
After we danced based on our platoon, then we were called to dance based on our tribe/region. I really love how Hausa Corpers displayed their tribe 🥰🎉.
Give way for the best state in Nigeria!! We’d need a standing ovation because there’s truly no place like Akwa Ibom State!! Is it our afang soup? OMG!!! Our people? The sweetest and most beautiful!! We truly have the best of everything 😂. You could feel the energy in the hall 🔥. That’s what it feels like to be from the best state in the country 😌.
I’ve not had this much fun since secondary school 😭. It reminded me so much of the social nights at Topfaith 🥹🥹❤️.
This is when I knew that I’m leaving Rivers State Orientation Camp SO FULL because NYSC is truly a once in a lifetime experience 😭❤️.
Note: For the record, Rivers State Orientation Camp has the finest NYSC hall nationwide 🤭.
In summary, Rivers State Orientation Camp is the most fun and strictest camp in Nigeria, and of course, thank you for attending the first days of NYSC with me. Watch out for part 2! 🥰💃
I miss you all so much! I’m so excited to be back consistently in your heart and mind. I love you so much 🔐❤️
Source: ✨ Wikipedia ✨ Premium Times Newspaper.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
All my amazing pictures and posts on Instagram: @artoftruezeal
Also, check out “What’s in my waist bag edition” via my Instagram highlight (NYSC 🇳🇬 🥳) and for other NYSC contents 🎉.
Contact+ Any questions, inquires or collaborations: okonjanetreuben@gmail.com
“When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen”. ~Isaiah 60:22
I enjoyed reading your blog!
I’m glad you did, thank you dear ☺️❤️
This is a very lovely experience
Thank you dear ☺️❤️