The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned corps members against involvement in partisan political activities as Nigeria gradually moves into preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu issued the warning on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps deployed to the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He stressed that the credibility of the NYSC scheme has been built over decades on strict political neutrality, warning that any action that could suggest alignment with political parties would undermine public trust in the institution.
According to him, corps members must avoid attending campaign events or engaging in activities that could compromise the perceived independence of the scheme, particularly during election periods.
“And since 1999, we have continued to strengthen our democratic process season after season. We are going into another electioneering season, and campaigns will soon begin. Don’t go to campaign grounds as a corps member,” he said.
He further cautioned that wearing NYSC uniforms or insignia to political gatherings could create damaging public perceptions, even if attendance was unintended or incidental.
“If I grab you with this face cap, this crested vest, this white-on-white and this khaki at a campaign ground and they capture you, the headline will be: ‘NYSC aligns with XYZ party.’ Your explanation will not be satisfactory. NYSC is apolitical. We do not align with any political party,” he warned.
The NYSC boss noted that corps members have continued to play a key role in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly as ad hoc staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that their neutrality remains essential to maintaining public confidence in elections.
“The country has known us for that for the past 53 years. Nigerians and the international community are comfortable seeing us serve as INEC ad hoc staff election after election because they trust us. Don’t spoil it in your time,” he said.
Nafiu also urged corps members to be more proactive and constructive in their outlook, encouraging them to contribute positively to national development rather than remain passive critics.
He advised them to embrace discipline, hard work, and entrepreneurship, while also reducing excessive use of social media in favour of more productive engagement.
“This is not the time to be lazy. This is the time to work. Cut down on unnecessary use of social media,” he said, adding that corps members should build meaningful relationships and focus on personal development during their service year.
In a lighter moment that drew applause from participants, Nafiu announced the donation of a cow to the camp community for meals.
“From the DG, you have a cow. Use it to make your pepper soup, your suya, or whatever you want to do with it,” he said.
Earlier, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachukwu, disclosed that 1,349 corps members—comprising 649 males and 700 females—had been registered for the current orientation exercise.
She said the corps members had adapted well to camp life and were actively participating in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as well as other camp activities.
Nwachukwu also highlighted security arrangements at the camp, noting that personnel of the Nigerian Air Force 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group had been providing aerial drone surveillance to enhance safety.
However, she raised concerns over infrastructural challenges affecting the temporary camp, including erratic electricity supply, reliance on generators, and the lack of a multipurpose hall.
She further lamented that facilities provided for orientation exercises often deteriorate quickly due to overuse and limited maintenance capacity, making long-term planning difficult.
