The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has warned corps members against participating in partisan politics as Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu issued the warning on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members at the temporary orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The NYSC boss stressed that the scheme’s credibility over the decades was built on political neutrality and cautioned corps members against actions capable of portraying the organisation as aligned with any political party.
“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.
Warning against wearing NYSC uniforms or insignia at political gatherings, Nafiu said even innocent appearances at campaign venues could create damaging perceptions.
“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 declared.
The DG noted that Nigerians and the international community have continued to trust corps members with critical election duties because of their neutrality.
“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. We will not allow you to cross that line,” he warned.
Beyond politics, Nafiu challenged the corps members to become agents of positive change rather than critics of the system.
“You have a chance to make a difference. When you sit on the sidelines and criticise, you don’t know what is actually happening on the pitch. Always give people the benefit of the doubt. Believe in yourself and run your race,” he advised.
He also urged them to embrace hard work, build meaningful friendships and reduce excessive social media use.
“This is not the time to be lazy. This is the time to work. Cut down on unnecessary use of social media. If you are doing business on social media, fine. Create good content, make friends and nurture friendships. Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve,” he said.
In a gesture that excited the corps members, Nafiu announced the donation of a cow to the camp community.
“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 amid cheers from the corps members.
Earlier, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachukwu, disclosed that 1,349 corps members comprising 649 males and 700 females were registered for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation exercise in the state.
According to her, the corps members have adapted well to camp life, exhibited discipline and actively participated in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and other camp activities.
Nwachukwu also highlighted security measures put in place at the camp, revealing that personnel of the Nigerian Air Force’s 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group have been providing aerial drone surveillance to strengthen security around the facility.
She, however, lamented the challenges posed by the temporary nature of the orientation camp.
“The temporary nature of the camp makes it very difficult to plan ahead. Facilities provided after every orientation exercise are often vandalised or become unusable due to overuse,” she said.
The coordinator further identified erratic electricity supply, heavy dependence on generators and the absence of a multipurpose hall as major challenges confronting the camp.