The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has warned corps members to steer clear of partisan politics and exercise caution in their use of social media as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu gave the caution while addressing the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Katsina State on Wednesday, warning corps members against spreading misinformation, sharing artificial intelligence-generated content, or engaging in partisan political activities ahead of the elections.
Describing corps members as critical stakeholders in shaping Nigeria’s future, Nafiu called on them to think critically before reposting or forwarding online content, stressing that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has made manipulated images and videos increasingly common. “You don’t just share or repost blindly. Think through what you receive. Verify the source, check when the picture was taken, and determine whether it has been manipulated,” he said, noting that AI technology had changed the information space completely.
The NYSC boss noted that Nigeria is entering a sensitive political period as preparations for 2027 gather momentum, warning corps members to remain neutral and refrain from using their social media platforms to promote political parties or candidates.
“As corps members, you are not permitted to campaign for any political party or candidate. If your social media activities are traced to political promotion while wearing the NYSC identity, appropriate action will be taken,” he cautioned.
Wednesday’s remarks are the latest in a series of similar warnings Nafiu has issued at orientation camps across the country in recent months as Nigeria’s political temperature rises ahead of 2027. In June, addressing corps members in Lagos, he delivered a blunter version of the same message, telling them plainly: “Do not get involved in the campaign of any political party. Don’t mix NYSC with politics. You should stay clear of politics.” He added at the time that corps members found culpable would face consequences. Similar warnings were repeated in May at an orientation camp in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he reminded corps members of their prospective role as INEC ad hoc staff and urged them to avoid using social media for political issues.
Beyond the warning, Nafiu reminded corps members that many of them would serve as ad hoc electoral personnel during the next general elections, describing the assignment as a rare privilege to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. “You contribute more to democracy by helping thousands of Nigerians exercise their voting rights than by casting only your own vote. Your service will help deliver credible, free and fair elections,” he added.
Beyond the political neutrality message, Nafiu encouraged corps members to embrace the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, saying vocational skills have become indispensable in today’s competitive economy and that the programme is designed to teach practical skills while inspiring lifelong learning and entrepreneurship. He also explained that the orientation course is structured to instil discipline, teamwork, leadership, obedience and a sense of responsibility through activities including drills and Man O’ War obstacle exercises.
Speaking at the same event, the Katsina State NYSC Coordinator, Evans Okwor, said the orientation exercise began on August 5 with a total of 1,333 corps members registered 759 males and 574 females supported by 363 camp officials, comprising 173 NYSC staff and 190 personnel from collaborating agencies.
Okwor added that the camp clinic remained adequately equipped and staffed by 40 medical personnel, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists, dental therapists, a radiographer and a veterinary doctor. He disclosed that 783 corps members and 40 camp officials had received medical attention so far, with 14 referrals made to the General Hospital, Katsina, and two patients remaining on admission, with malaria, typhoid fever, asthma, peptic ulcer disease, body pains and blood pressure-related conditions among the most common health issues recorded. The State Coordinator commended the corps members for maintaining a high level of discipline and adapting positively to camp activities.
The 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course is scheduled to conclude on August 25, 2026.
The NYSC’s repeated warnings reflect broader anxiety within Nigeria’s electoral institutions about the potential for social media misinformation and premature political campaigning to disrupt the 2027 electoral cycle. As a scheme constitutionally mandated to remain apolitical, the NYSC has increasingly positioned itself and its roughly one million active corps members nationwide as a frontline safeguard for electoral neutrality, given the significant role corps members play as ad hoc staff during Nigerian elections.
