RismadarVoice Reporters, June 23, 2026
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned corps members against participating in partisan political activities as the country gradually approaches the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu issued the warning on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The NYSC boss stressed that the scheme’s reputation over the past five decades has been built on political neutrality and urged corps members to avoid any conduct that could suggest affiliation with political parties.
According to him, corps members must not attend campaign events or engage in activities that could compromise the non-partisan image of the organisation, particularly while wearing official NYSC uniforms or insignia.
He warned that any appearance by corps members at political gatherings could easily be misinterpreted by the public and portrayed as institutional support for a political party, thereby damaging the credibility of the scheme.
Nafiu noted that the trust reposed in the NYSC by Nigerians and the international community stems largely from its impartiality, especially during elections where corps members often serve as ad hoc staff for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He urged participants to preserve that legacy by remaining neutral and professional at all times.
Beyond politics, the Director-General encouraged corps members to become positive contributors to national development, advising them to focus on personal growth, hard work, and productive engagement rather than excessive criticism of societal challenges.
He also called on them to make meaningful use of social media, build valuable relationships, and take advantage of opportunities that could enhance their personal and professional development.
In a lighter moment during the event, Nafiu announced the donation of a cow to the camp community, drawing excitement from corps members in attendance.
Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in Gombe State, Chinwe Nwachukwu, disclosed that a total of 1,349 corps members, comprising 649 males and 700 females, had been registered for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation exercise in the state.
She commended the corps members for their discipline and active participation in camp activities, including the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.
Nwachukwu also highlighted security arrangements at the orientation camp, revealing that personnel from the Nigerian Air Force’s 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group have been providing aerial drone surveillance to strengthen security around the facility.
However, she expressed concern over challenges associated with the camp’s temporary status, citing inadequate infrastructure, irregular electricity supply, dependence on generators, and the absence of a multipurpose hall as major operational difficulties.
She called for improvements to enhance the welfare and overall experience of corps members during future orientation exercises.
