The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has warned serving corps members against participating in partisan politics and using their positions to promote political parties or individual politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu issued the warning during his visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The NYSC boss reminded corps members that the national service scheme is non-partisan and that serving members must remain politically neutral during their service year.
According to The Sun, Nafiu specifically cautioned corps members against involvement in partisan politics while explaining that they could participate in the electoral process as INEC ad hoc personnel.
The distinction is important because corps members have historically played a role in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Serving corps members may be recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission as temporary election officials, allowing them to participate in elections without becoming partisan political actors.
Nafiu described registration as INEC ad hoc personnel as a legitimate opportunity for corps members to contribute to the electoral process while earning income.
The warning comes as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 general election.
Political parties and opposition coalitions have already begun positioning themselves for the presidential and legislative contests, increasing the likelihood of greater campaign activity across the country.
The NYSC leadership is concerned that corps members, because of their deployment across different communities, could become involved in partisan political activities or political mobilisation.
The DG therefore urged them to maintain the neutrality expected of members of the national service scheme.
During the same visit, Nafiu also focused on the welfare and safety of corps members.
The Abia State NYSC Coordinator, Yunusa Tanimu, said 1,753 corps members — 760 males and 993 females — were registered for the 2026 Batch B orientation exercise.
The DG inspected ongoing renovation work at the orientation camp and was briefed on improvements to the facility.
The first phase of the renovation had reportedly been completed, while preparations were underway for the second phase.
Nafiu also cautioned corps members about travelling without the necessary authorisation from NYSC authorities.
He urged them to be particularly careful about long-distance journeys because of the country’s security situation.
The safety warning is consistent with previous advice from the NYSC leadership, which has urged corps members to avoid night travel and use approved transport facilities.
The NYSC DG’s political warning therefore forms part of a broader effort to protect corps members while ensuring that the scheme retains its non-partisan character.
As the 2027 elections approach, the issue will become increasingly important because of the large number of temporary personnel required to conduct elections across Nigeria.
Corps members who serve as election officials will be expected to carry out their duties impartially, irrespective of their personal political preferences.
Nafiu’s message is consequently not that corps members should stay away from the electoral process entirely.
Rather, they are expected to separate neutral electoral service from partisan political activity.
That distinction will remain critical as Nigeria’s political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.