NYSC Director-General Warns Corps Members Against Partisan Politics Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, has issued a stern warning to corps members to remain politically neutral as the country begins preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Addressing 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members during a town hall meeting at the temporary orientation camp in Amada, Gombe State, on Tuesday, Nafiu emphasized that the credibility of the NYSC rests on its strict non-alignment with any political party. He explicitly cautioned against attending political campaign rallies, particularly while wearing the scheme’s uniform or insignia.

“If I catch you with this face cap, this crested vest, this white-on-white, or this khaki at a campaign ground and you are captured, the headline will be: ‘NYSC aligns with a political party.’ Your explanation will not be satisfactory,” the Director-General stated. He added that the public and international community entrust corps members with election duties due to their long-standing reputation for neutrality, and he urged them not to jeopardize that legacy.

Beyond the warning, Nafiu encouraged the corps members to shift their focus toward personal development and positive impact. He advised them to spend less time on social media and instead dedicate their energy to hard work, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to the nation’s growth.

During the visit, Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachukwu, reported that 1,349 corps members are currently participating in the orientation exercise. She noted that while the cohort has adapted well to camp life, the state operation faces significant infrastructure challenges due to the temporary nature of the facility. These include an erratic power supply, a lack of a multipurpose hall, and the degradation of facilities over time.

To bolster camp safety, Nwachukwu revealed that the Nigerian Air Force has been providing aerial drone surveillance. The event concluded on a lighter note, with the Director-General donating a cow to the camp community to boost morale.