NYSC Terms and Meanings/ Functions. LGI, CLO, ZI, CDS.

To begin we may need to understand the term itself.

NYSC stands for National Youth Service Corps. It is a 12-month program designed by the federal government to foster unity as well as engage the nation’s graduates in the development of the country. The practice is to post young graduates to parts of the country other than their states of origin or residence. They are to volunteer, and aid in the development of wherever they serve. During this period, they are paid a stipend presently pegged at 19,800 Naira monthly by the Federal Government.

Service Year meaning

The service year refers to the 12-month period during which a young graduate serves the compulsory NYSC. It is scheduled in batches.

Orientation Camp



Orientation camp refers to an area, usually a camp compound set aside for the three weeks orientation exercise. Note that every corps member initially reports at the camp where the necessary documentations and postings are carried out. During this period, expect some light military drills. The camp is manned by military officials and headed by a camp commandant.

Green Card

The NYSC Green Card is a slip printed out after a successful registration for mobilization on the NYSC website. It carries a prospective corps member’s personal and academic details. As a matter of fact, every corps member is expected to present a signed copy at the orientation camp.

Call-up Letter

This slip is what notifies you of the state you have been posted to serve. Of course, you are required to come along with it to the orientation camp.

Posting Letter



This one is given in camp at the end of the orientation exercise. It contains the PPA you have been posted to.

P.C.M

This simply means prospective corps member. Every graduate eligible and mobilized, but yet to be deployed is a PCM. You are only qualified to be called a corps member once you successfully make it to the orientation camp.

Otondo

Otondo is a slang meaning “new corps member”. You officially stop being an otondo once a new batch of corpers come on board.

Allawee

Allwee is mainly used to describe the monthly stipend (19,800 Naira) paid by the Federal Government. However, other allowances are paid including bicycle allowance, transport allowance and the state allowance.

C.L.O

This stands for Corps Liason Officer. The CLO is himself a corps member. However, he represents other corps members in administrative capacities. He is the link between the authorities and the corps members.

L.I

The LI is also called the LGI. The full meaning is Local Government Inspector. He supervises activities, and represents the corps at the local level.

ZI

This means Zonal Inspector. The state is divided into different zones made up of a few local government areas. He however oversees the LIs within his domain.

PPA

This means place of primary assignment. It is the organization you are officially posted to serve during the service year.

CDS

The full meaning of CDS is Community Development Service. It is one of the four (4) Cardinal Programs of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Corps members contribute positively to the development of their host communities throughout the period of National service via the CDS.

OBS

OBS in full means Orientation Broadcasting Service. It is the media arm of the orientation exercise. It is manned mainly by corps members who are broadcasters. Also, corps members into any media related practice are welcome.

Finally, please do well to let us know what ever you would love to know about NYSC in the comment section. We will answer as soon as possible.