By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy more than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general election, underscoring the critical role corps members continue to play in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In an official signed statement, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed that the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, revealed this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, at the NYSC Headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Abuja, on Monday.
Professor Amupitan described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a routine courtesy visit, stating that he came on a mission of appreciation for the corps’ longstanding support to Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, the NYSC remains an indispensable pillar in the conduct of elections across the country.
“In the complex architecture of Nigeria’s democracy, there is no pillar more vital than the NYSC. I dare say that INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC,” he stated.
The INEC chairman noted that corps members have participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999 and have consistently provided the manpower required for smooth electoral operations nationwide.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members. They are the most dedicated, educated, and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable,” he said.
Providing insights into preparations for the 2027 polls, Professor Amupitan disclosed that INEC would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and another 707,384 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.
This, he explained, brings the total number of corps members expected to be engaged for the two election phases to 1,414,768.
He further revealed that an additional 52,446 corps members would be deployed for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
The INEC chairman recalled that during the 2023 general election, the commission deployed approximately 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with over 70 per cent of that workforce nearly 850,000 personnel drawn from corps members and student volunteers.
He stressed that corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in several states, noting that they played a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide.
Professor Amupitan also praised the corps members for their digital competence, particularly in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during recent elections, including the Anambra Governorship Election and the FCT Area Council polls.
“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of your corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.
The INEC chairman acknowledged the risks often faced by corps members during election duties and assured that the commission would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures, welfare packages and insurance coverage for all personnel engaged in electoral assignments.
He also reiterated the commission’s commitment to proper training and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election and upcoming off-cycle polls.
Responding, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, commended INEC for sustaining its collaboration with the scheme, noting that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was first signed in 2011 and has continued to be renewed periodically.
Brigadier General Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower capable of supporting the successful conduct of elections nationwide.
“The last batch of millennials will exit the corps soon, leaving behind Gen Z corps members known for their digital savviness, which would benefit INEC,” he stated.
He assured the commission of the NYSC’s continued support for both the 2027 general election and all forthcoming off-cycle elections across the country.
