On NYSC Lagos Camp Registration

Registration Guidelines for Lagos NYSC Camp, Iyana Apaja

Before I started this camp, there were so many things I wish someone had told me. The registration process is grueling, the queues are endless, and the system can feel downright chaotic. And even with the stated 40% attendance for the Batch A Stream 2, the crowd at the Lagos camp? It's better seen than experienced. If you doubt it, just check Tiktok for video clips. According to the Lagos state coordinator address, there were about 7000+ corpers mobilized for Lagos state but about 3212 people camped at Iyana Apaja. So, knowing what to expect beforehand will save you from unnecessary frustration and help you navigate the process more strategically. Here's everything you need to know to make your registration as smooth as possible.

Timing is Everything - Go Ridiculously Early

Go early, even the day before if possible. Some people came on the first day as early as 5 am. If you plan on going by 8 am thinking it's early, you'll be met with a long queue as it's late by that time already. If you go the day before, expect to be awake as early as 3 am. 

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Call-Up Number Validation

Your call up number is checked first to confirm you're eligible to camp here. And then you're to sign your name and details. For the Batch A, Stream 2 set, this check was done in the field at the Mammy market. You stand in a queue for the verification.

Step 2: Medical Examination

Afterwards, you go for a medical checkup at the parade ground, which is basically checking your Blood Pressure and Temperature to confirm you're in good health. Here, you present your call up letter and medical fitness certificate. Then, they will take your vitals. After which they sign on your call up letter and give you a small cardboard sheet slip that's signed and stamped. Hold this small card carefully because you'll need it for documents verification as well as hostel allocation.

Step 3: Document Verification

After this, you will go to the registration hall (it's at the back of the hostel and beside the kitchen). This is where you present your entire documents for verification. This part of registration is sorted out by geographical locations where you studied your first degree (like South West, North Central, South East, etc). South West graduates draw the biggest crowd, so keep that in mind.

Now, this is where they compare your information and certificates to confirm everything matches across documents. These are the documents they expect from you:

- Original statement of result

- Photocopy statement of result (cos this will be signed)

- Original call up letter

- Medical checkup clearance slip (This is the same small cardboard slip gotten after the medical checkup on the parade ground. Hold it carefully cos you will use it for hostel allocation as well)

- Signed addendum slip

The attending official will sign on some of the documents and give them back to you

Step 4: Biometrics - The Most Critical Step

Go to the biometrics section. This is done in the same hall. You'll submit the verified documents from the previous location and do your thumbprint. This is probably the most important step - if you skip this, you're not a mobilized corp member. Once your details are verified, they'll give you a file with your state code. Your platoon number will be the last digit written on the card. Once done here, you will go to another table where you will be given another small cardboard sheet slip with the same state code number written on your file. Hold it carefully cos you'll need it for your meal ticket collection and wear it as your tag.

Step 5: Certificate Format and Document Arrangement

Then you'll go to another queue where you get the “certificate format” document from an official. When you get the document from the official, photocopy it to be added to the file you'd be given. When you go to a cyber cafe, they'll tell you the order to arrange it.

The order was like this during my stream:

- Call up letter (original copy)

- Green card (original copy)

- Undertaking (Gotten from any cyber cafe)

- Cleared slip (foreign graduates)

- Statement of result (photocopy signed during document verification)

- Certificate format (this will be given to you when done with biometrics)

- Medical fitness (original copy)

This arranged document will be taken to your platoon assignment section to submit.

Step 6: Hostel Allocation (Optional at This Point)

Alternatively you can actually go and apply for your hostel at this point because what they ask for at the hostel area is the same small cardboard sheet slip gotten during the medical checkup. Note: there are 30 people in each room (for females) and the bunks are allocated based on size. So if you're on the smaller size, it's highly probable you're going to get the up bunk. They'll count the line in groups of 30s for each room so if you want your friends to be in the same room as you are, line up together. And the names are also written in order so the bed space allocation is shared that way. First person becomes room head, while the second is the assistant. Then others get called and assigned to a bed space by a matron in the hostel.

Step 7: Bank Account Opening

Afterwards, go to the parade ground, and find your Platoon under the canopy. Check the last numbers in your state code, that'll tell you the bank you need to open an account with. They'll place a document that lists the banks and their code ranges. Go to the bank section, they'll give you a form to fill at this point. You'll need your BVN number, NIN number, and general personal information. The bank staff will tell you how to fill the forms. You might need to generate your VNin depending on the bank. They'll also need a photocopy of your NIN slip, a photocopy of your call up letter, and a passport that'll be stamped to the account form for this. When you're done filling the form, they'll give you a small white slip to fill in your name and state code. Hold it carefully as you'll need it at the platoon section.

Step 8: Final Document Submission and Kit Collection

Afterwards, you'll need to take the account slip they would give you to your platoon section under the canopy on the parade grounds. There, you submit the file with the documents already arranged in order to the platoon leader (plus the small white slip given by the bank). You will be made to fill a booklet that matches your state code, so ensure you either snapped your state code or even better, crammed it. Then, you'll have to fill out the ID card they will give you (my platoon said it has to be in uppercase for all the fields. Yours may vary so confirm). This ID card will be collected from you after filling and will be given back to you few days before the end of the orientation camp. Your ID during the orientation period will be the cardboard slip with the your state code.

After this process, you just have to hang around your platoon section and wait for your name to be called to get your NYSC kit, check if they fit. And if they don't (especially the shoes), start asking around to find those you can exchange with. If they give you khaki and it's your size, still sew over the entire stitches. The seams are quite fragile and you don't want your trousers to tear as you're crossing the gutter. Make sure your shoe (especially the jungle boot) is 1 - 2 sizes bigger than your normal shoe size. The shoes have this hard material on the toe area that doesn't allow wiggle room for your toes. So the shoes will be very very uncomfortable if your toes are cramped there, especially as you stand for long hours wearing them.

 Critical Things to Know Before You Start

**The queue is crazy for Lagos Orientation camp, especially for the medical checkup and the biometrics section.** The process can be disorganised so get ready to deal with this. Some "street smart" people jump the queue and force themselves in, others plead with officials to help them. The entire process is dehumanizing and can be very frustrating, exceedingly frustrating so prepare your mind, it happens. There is no way around skipping the stress (unless you have long legs and get special treatment).

**If you don't finish on the first day,** you'll be given temporary accommodation. The hostel rooms are quite tiny for the 15 bunks in each room (at least for the female hostel). You can barely fit your full body in the space between the bunks, not to talk of your property. So pack essentials only, you can always buy other things at the maami market.

**And if you need to continue your registration the next day,** you might think you'll need to wake up on time and find a seat at the location where you stopped, right? Think again. If you're planning on going out by 3 am to claim your spot, I will say “don't even bother.” This is because you'll still be rallied to go for early morning devotion by soldiers (this devotion lasts for roughly 2 hours). And once that's done, people hustle for the seats and previous positions don't count. So you need to be alert and agile. Some people come back in between the morning devotion to claim good spots, but the soldiers do come around and chase people away still. If you get caught, you're on your own. But just hang around somewhere, so you know when to rush back to find a good seat to continue your registration.

Final Thoughts

Look, I won't sugarcoat it - Lagos camp registration is a test of endurance and lots of patience. The process will push you to your limits, and there will be moments when you'll question why you even chose the state in the first place. But here's a consolation to keep you going: think of the reason you chose this state. As suffering as it sounds, thousands of people have gone through this same process and survived it. You will too. 

The key is managing your expectations. Don't expect efficiency, don't expect organization, and definitely don't expect comfort. What you should expect is chaos, long queues, and a system that seems designed to break your spirit. But if you're armed with this information, you're already ahead of the people who'll show up unprepared.

Pack light, carry patience, and remember that this one too shall pass. Once you complete your registration, you'll have conquered (probably) one of the most notorious bureaucratic processes in Nigeria. Stay strong, stay alert, and most importantly - start early. Your future self will thank you for it.

Overall, apart from the registration period, this was a memorable experience. The first 3 days are the hardest. After that, the camp can be enjoyable (if you allow yourself to). A good number of the soldiers are cordial and approachable. The morning drills are lit. The food is quite good considering the population. Water runs in the hostel bathroom taps. So don't let the registration process dampen your spirit, be open minded, banter with your roommates, participate in your platoon activities and make the 3 weeks an amazing one. Try and make friends with your platoon inspector. Be respectful to everyone and don't look down on the kitchen staff, it's the cordial thing to do. Also, most of them are high ranking civil service officials.

If you want to be active in camp, there are several committees in the camp to join apart from Red Cross, Man O’War, OBS and Band. There are Corps of Camp directors, SAED committee, Lectures committee, sanitation committee, evaluation committee, health and wellness committee, fire safety committee. But again, the slots fill up quite fast, so you need to indicate interest as soon as possible. The key to being active in camp is being very agile, and “putting your ears on the ground” for information because a lot of things go on at the same time. So, if you're not alert, you won't even know what's happening.

But even if you prefer to be inactive and you're in camp to fulfill all righteousness, that's still fine. Just go with the flow, the 21 days go by quite fast. Enjoy your stay!