Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has proposed the relocation of the permanent orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from its current location within the Maiduguri city centre to Government Secondary School, Auno.
Governor Zulum said sustainability, security, and future expansion were the key considerations behind the proposal. He made this known on Friday during an inspection of the facility alongside the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, and other senior officials of the scheme.
According to the governor, the decision is rooted in long-term planning rather than short-term convenience.
“One of the key reasons I am proposing this location for the NYSC permanent orientation camp is sustainability. In the next one or two years, we may be hosting between 3,000 and 5,000 corps members. Keeping such a population within the town will create pressure on infrastructure,” Zulum stated.
He explained that the proposed site is strategically located along a fast-developing institutional corridor. The ongoing construction of a bypass about two to 2.5 kilometres from the facility is expected to improve accessibility.
He also noted that a Teaching Hospital scheduled for commissioning within the next two to three months and the State University situated along the same axis further enhance the area’s strategic value.
“This corridor is fast becoming a major institutional and development hub. If we are serious about long-term planning, we must move to a more spacious and strategic location,” the governor added.
Zulum highlighted the existing infrastructure at the proposed site, which includes two hostels with eight dormitories, a dining hall and kitchen, 26 classrooms with attached offices, seven laboratories, and 12 additional rooms.
The facility also has an overhead water tank and a functional solar powered borehole. He said the classrooms alone could accommodate between 1,300 and 1,500 corps members at a time.
On security, the governor assured that the location could be effectively fortified, citing the proximity of security formations and a military checkpoint.
“If this place is deemed suitable after your assessment, we will strengthen the perimeter fence, improve security architecture, and install modern technological gadgets to prevent intrusion. Once properly secured, this location will be ideal,” he said.
He further pledged to provide accommodation for NYSC officials, including the possible acquisition of additional housing within the Federal Mass Housing Estate.
“As governor, I would rather invest public resources in a location that guarantees sustainability, expansion, and long-term value not one that will soon become congested and inadequate,” Zulum stressed.
In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Nafiu, commended the governor for what he described as a rare and forward-looking initiative.
“His Excellency’s offering is uncommon. It is futuristic and shows he is thinking far ahead of where we currently are. That is exactly where this scheme is growing into,” Nafiu said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has progressively increased the annual mobilisation of corps members nationwide from 300,000 to 350,000, then 400,000, and now 450,000 in 2026.
The Director-General emphasised that security remains a critical factor in the deployment of corps members across the country. He lauded Governor Zulum for inviting the Garrison Commander and Theatre Intelligence Commander to participate in the assessment of the proposed site.
“His Excellency has graciously asked security commanders to join us in inspecting this land so they can properly advise on safety and other requirements,” he added.
Secretary to the Borno State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijani, explained that the state government had previously developed the structure, but it was never put into operation. He noted that while the facility is fully fenced, some portions of the perimeter wall collapsed due to animal intrusion and lack of use.
