The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned corps members against participating in partisan politics as preparations begin toward the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu gave the warning on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He stressed that the NYSC’s credibility is rooted in its political neutrality and warned that any conduct suggesting political bias could damage the scheme’s reputation.
“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.
The NYSC boss specifically cautioned corps members against wearing official NYSC uniforms or insignia at political events, noting that even unintended appearances could be misinterpreted.
“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 added.
Nafiu said corps members have earned public trust over the years and play a key role in elections as INEC ad hoc staff, urging them not to compromise that credibility.
“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 warned.
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He also encouraged corps members to focus on personal development, discipline and productivity, while advising them to reduce excessive use of social media and build meaningful relationships.
“This is not the time to be lazy. This is the time to work… Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve,” he said.
In a light-hearted moment, Nafiu donated a cow to the orientation camp community, drawing applause from the corps members.
“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, said 1,349 corps members had been registered for the exercise, adding that they had adapted well to camp life and were actively participating in training and development programmes.
She noted that security had been strengthened at the camp with aerial drone surveillance provided by the Nigerian Air Force, while also highlighting challenges such as poor electricity supply, reliance on generators and lack of permanent facilities.