The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to raise the allowances of Corps Members that serve as adhoc personnel during elections.
This was made public in a release published in Abuja on Monday by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations
He also called for the speedy delivery of insurance benefits or medical support to Corps Members that pay the ultimate sacrifice or sustain injuries on election responsibilities across the country.
He made the call today when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan visited him in his office at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters, Maitama Abuja.
“Granting these requests will encourage more Corps Members to participate in the conduct of elections and also perform their roles with more zeal as patriotic Nigerians.
He equally encouraged INEC to accelerate action on timely provision of identities of Corps Members that would function as electoral officials, saying this would enable the Scheme make proper preparation before the poll days.
The DG praised INEC for the support the NYSC gets from the partnership between the two organizations.
“The Scheme has remained part of Nigeria’s democratic process since 1999, although the agreement was formalised in 2011,” he stated, adding that the MoU has been renewed several times since then.
He defined Corps Members as a “highly competent, credible, neutral and easily trainable set of patriotic manpower with high sense of digital proficiency” that have the wherewithal to deliver fair elections, whenever called to duty.
The NYSC Chief Executive Officer commended INEC’s security arrangement for Corps Members during the previous Anambra State Gubernatorial election and hoped that such would be duplicated in forthcoming elections.
Nafiu also said that NYSC would continue to do its bit in improving the nation’s democracy.
“We have the sufficient manpower in terms of Corps Members that would provide necessary support for INEC not only for the 2027 general elections, but also the off cycle elections coming up this year, we are on top of our game”.
“We don’t have this type of assignment in our insurance for them, we always count on the insurance that INEC has for them during elections,” General Nafiu said.
He called on all the MDAs, non-governmental entities and other good spirited individuals to support INEC to ensure its success.
“I want to assure you that NYSC is ready and committed to sustaining the collaboration for credible elections as well as the growth and development of Nigeria,” he said.
“The Scheme is proud of the success of INEC because your success is our success. We shall mobilise our Corps Members and key staff fully for all the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of INEC in his remarks characterized Corps Members as the most devoted, educated and patriotic election duty workers whose presence at the polling stations have brought neutrality and public confidence that is priceless.
He re-stressed INEC’s commitment to collaborate with NYSC and security agencies to ensure that safety protocol is rigorously maintained to protect every Corps Member on election duty.
“We are always updating our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives”.
As we anticipate the general elections of 2027 set for the 16th of January, 2027, I want to underscore the necessity for complete Mobilisation and preparedness of NYSC for the national event. “Only through our collective effort can we make sure that the electoral process is transparent and credible”.
“For the 2027 general elections, we would need 707,384 Corps Members for the Presidential and National Assembly election on 16th January 2027, same number would also be needed for the Governorship and Houses of Assembly election on 6th February, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” said Amupitan.
The INEC boss added that in many States, Corps Members formed close to 90 percent of the commission’s Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers who not only facilitated voting but protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across the most difficult terrains in the country.
He notably praised the work of Corps Members during the Anambra Gubernatorial and FCT Area Council elections where their digital skills facilitated the seamless operations of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Amupitan also assured INEC of its willingness to work closely with NYSC to provide adequate training and Mobilisation of all adhoc staff needed for the remaining 2026 off cycle and 2027 general elections.
“We want a well-organised, efficient and peaceful electoral process and that can only be achieved through collaboration, commitment and shared responsibility,” he said. “We look forward to your continued cooperation and partnership to make these elections successful for Nigeria”.
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