2027 Election: NYSC Corps Members on Election Duty to Receive Higher Allowances, Welfare

• The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on INEC to improve the remuneration and welfare of Corps Members serving as ad hoc staff during elections.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to improve the remuneration and welfare package for Corps Members engaged as ad hoc staff during elections across the country.

General Nafiu made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The NYSC DG specifically called for increased allowances for Corps Members involved in election duties, as well as timely payment of insurance benefits and medical support for those who sustain injuries or lose their lives while serving during elections.

According to him, enhanced welfare and prompt support for affected Corps Members would encourage greater participation and boost morale among young Nigerians contributing to the nation’s democratic process.

He also urged INEC to ensure the early release of names of Corps Members selected for election duties to enable the Scheme make adequate preparations ahead of polls.

General Nafiu commended the longstanding collaboration between NYSC and INEC, noting that the Scheme has remained actively involved in Nigeria’s democratic process since 1999, while the formal Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies was signed in 2011 and has since undergone renewals.

Describing Corps Members as competent, neutral, digitally proficient, and highly trainable, he said they remain critical to the successful conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.

“We have sufficient manpower in terms of Corps Members that would provide necessary support for INEC, not only for the 2027 general elections but also for the off-cycle elections coming up this year. We are fully prepared,” he said.

The NYSC DG added that the Scheme remains committed to mobilizing Corps Members and essential staff for all upcoming elections, emphasizing that INEC’s success is also the success of NYSC.

In his remarks, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan described Corps Members as dedicated, educated, and patriotic election personnel whose presence at polling units has significantly strengthened neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.

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He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to collaborating with NYSC and security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of safety measures for all Corps Members deployed for election duties.

“We are constantly refining our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives,” Amupitan said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission would require 707,384 Corps Members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the same number for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.

According to him, a total of 1,414,768 Corps Members would be engaged for both exercises.