The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned corps members to stay away from partisan political activities as political preparations gradually build ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu gave 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.
Addressing the corps members, the NYSC boss stressed that the scheme’s reputation over the years has been built on neutrality and urged participants not to engage in activities capable of creating the impression that NYSC supports any political party.
According to him, corps members must avoid attending campaign events in their official capacity or appearing in NYSC uniforms at political gatherings.
He warned that public perception could easily misrepresent such appearances and damage the image of the scheme.
Nafiu noted that the trust reposed in NYSC members by Nigerians and the international community, especially during elections where corps members serve as ad hoc staff for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is largely due to the scheme’s non-partisan posture.
He reminded the corps members that preserving that trust remains a collective responsibility.
The Director-General also encouraged them to see themselves as contributors to national development rather than remaining passive critics.
He advised them to work hard, stay focused, build valuable relationships and make productive use of social media platforms.
“This is the time to build capacity and develop yourselves. Reduce unnecessary use of social media unless it contributes positively to your growth or business,” he advised.
In a lighter moment that drew excitement from the camp community, Nafiu announced the donation of a cow to the corps members for their welfare and social activities.
Earlier in her remarks, the NYSC Coordinator in Gombe State, Chinwe Nwachukwu, disclosed that a total of 1,349 corps members had been registered for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation programme in the state.
According to her, the figure comprises 649 males and 700 females.
She commended the corps members for adjusting well to camp life and actively participating in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and other orientation activities.
Nwachukwu also highlighted security measures at the camp, revealing that personnel of the Nigerian Air Force 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group had been conducting aerial drone surveillance around the facility.
However, she raised concerns over the challenges posed by operating from a temporary orientation camp, citing difficulties with infrastructure planning, erratic power supply, dependence on generators and the lack of a multipurpose hall.
She called for continued support to improve facilities and strengthen the orientation experience for future corps members.