NYSC members have been warned: stay out of political campaigns, and think twice before sharing what you see online.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has directed corps members to maintain political neutrality and warned them against using their NYSC identity or social media accounts to promote political parties or candidates.
Nafiu issued the warning on Wednesday during a working visit to the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Katsina.
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No political campaigning
The NYSC boss reminded corps members that their service requires them to remain politically neutral.
He warned that corps members who use their NYSC identity or activities on social media to promote political candidates or parties could face disciplinary action.
The directive is particularly significant ahead of the 2027 general elections, when corps members are expected to play important roles in the electoral process.
Verify before you repost
Nafiu also cautioned corps members about the growing spread of misinformation and AI-generated content.
With artificial intelligence making it easier to create convincing fake photographs, videos and other digital material, he urged corps members not to assume that content appearing online is authentic.
He advised them to check:
- Who originally published the information
- When a photograph or video was created
- Whether the material has been manipulated
- Whether other credible sources confirm the claim
His warning was particularly direct: do not share or repost information simply because it appears convincing.
Corps members to support 2027 elections
Nafiu said corps members are likely to have an important role during the 2027 elections, with many expected to serve as ad hoc electoral personnel.
He described the assignment as an opportunity for corps members to contribute to Nigeria’s democratic process and help eligible citizens exercise their voting rights.
He urged them to approach the responsibility with seriousness and help promote elections that are credible, free and fair.
Skills could open new opportunities
The NYSC DG also encouraged corps members to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
He said vocational and entrepreneurial abilities could provide valuable opportunities in an economy where practical skills are increasingly important.
The orientation programme, he added, is also intended to develop qualities such as discipline, leadership, teamwork, obedience and responsibility.
Activities including drills and Man O’ War obstacle exercises are designed to reinforce those values.
1,333 corps members registered in Katsina
The Katsina State NYSC Coordinator, Evans Okwor, said 1,333 corps members had registered for the orientation exercise.
The group comprises:
- 759 males
- 574 females
A total of 363 camp officials are supporting the programme, including 173 NYSC personnel and 190 officials from collaborating agencies.
More than 800 receive medical attention
Okwor said the camp clinic had 40 medical personnel and was stocked with essential medicines.
So far, 783 corps members and 40 camp officials had received medical attention at the camp.
Fourteen cases were referred to General Hospital, Katsina, while two patients remained hospitalised at the time of the report.
Among the common conditions recorded were malaria, typhoid fever, asthma, peptic ulcer disease, body pains and blood-pressure-related conditions.
Okwor praised the corps members for maintaining discipline and adapting positively to camp activities.
The orientation course began on August 5 and is scheduled to conclude on August 25, 2026.
For the corps members, the message from the NYSC leadership is twofold: remain politically neutral and become more deliberate about what you amplify online.