My name is Amina, and I just finished NYSC last year. Today, I want to talk like your big sister and show you the exact things not allowed in NYSC camp. If you follow this list, you will enter camp gate without wahala and your first week will be smooth like Agege bread with butter. Come, let us walk through it together. 
Why Soldiers and Officials Check Your Bag
When you reach camp gate, (Must Documents You Need At NYSC Camp Registration That’s When you Arrive NYSC Camp Gate) soldiers and Man-o-War officials will open every bag. They are not wicked; they only want everybody to stay safe. So if you carry any contraband item in camp, they will seize it and you will feel small in front of your new friends. Better to leave those things at home.
The Big List: Things Not To Bring To Camp
1. Sharp And Pointy Items
- Kitchen knives
- Scissors (even small eyebrow scissors)
- Razor blades
- Dagger or any cutlass
If you need to cut something, you can borrow from the camp market or buy there. Do not hide any sharp thing inside your box; soldiers will find it.
2. Pressing Iron, Electric Stove, Hot Plate
These items use too much light and can cause fire. Camp hostels are many people inside one hall, so fire can spread fast. Instead, look for mallam iron or laundry people outside parade ground. They will press your khaki for small money.
3. Big Food Flasks And Kettles
Yes, you need food flask for mammy market rice, but do not bring the giant family-size type. Soldiers will say it is too big and hide it. Carry a simple medium one and one small flask for tea. That is enough.
4. Laptop, Expensive Camera, Big Power Bank
Camp is rough and tumble. Your fine laptop can fall during morning drills or someone can steal it at night. Leave laptop at home or with family in town. Small phone and small power bank (below 20,000 mAh) are okay.
Quick Tips for Gadgets
- Use a small Android phone with strong pouch.
- Bring only one power bank, and keep it under pillow.
- If you must snap photos, use your phone camera. It is safer.
5. Too Much Cash And ATM Cards
Do not carry plenty cash inside camp. Thieves know corpers bring money. Just keep small cash like ten thousand naira inside waist pouch for food and recharge card. Leave your big ATM card with a trusted friend in town. You can collect it on weekend when you go out for bank.
6. Hard Drugs And Alcohol
This one is zero-tolerance. If soldiers find tramadol, codeine, or loud, they will hand you over to NDLEA. Even local gin called ogogoro is not allowed inside hostels. If you must drink, do it outside camp gate on weekend, then come back sober.
7. Candles And Lighter
Camp hostels are like boarding school. Fire from candle can burn bunk beds. Use rechargeable lamp instead. It is brighter and safe.
8. Expensive Watches And Gold Chains
Leave your Rolex at home. Parade ground dust will scratch it and someone can snatch it at night. Simple rubber wristwatch is enough to check time for 4:00 am morning drills.
9. Gas Cylinder Or Cooking Stove
Some corpers think they will cook beans inside hostel. That idea is wrong. Camp kitchen is there for everyone. If you no like camp food, buy from mammy market. Gas cylinder is big contraband.
10. Big Suitcase And Box With Wheels
Hostel lockers are small. Bring soft bag or Ghana-must-go bag that you can fold under bunk. Big box with wheel will not enter locker and soldiers will ask you to keep it at camp gate store, which is risky.
Small Things People Forget To Mention
- Extension socket with many heads – they will seize it.
- Bluetooth speaker with loud bass – noise making is not allowed after lights out.
- Perfume bottle made of glass – can break and cut people.
What To Do If You Already Packed A Contraband Item
Before you leave home, open your bag again. Remove anything from the list above. If you reach motor park and remember you forgot, call your family to come and carry it back. Do not hide it inside garri or tissue paper; soldiers have sharp eyes.
Final Word From Your Big Sister
Remember, NYSC camp (How to Enjoy Your NYSC Camp Without Joining All The Parades) is only three weeks. After that, you can carry all your fine things to PPA (Things To Note Before You Accept NYSC PPA). For now, keep your load light and safe. The list of things not allowed in NYSC camp is not to punish you, but to protect you and your new friends. Follow it and your camp story will be sweet like gala and lacasera.
See you on parade ground!