Juliet Ezeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to mobilise over 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as ad hoc staff for the 2027 general election, in what it describes as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and ensuring credible polls nationwide.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House headquarters of the scheme in Abuja on Monday.
Amupitan described the visit as more than a formal engagement, stating that it was an expression of gratitude for the NYSC’s longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s democratic process. He emphasised that corps members remain a critical pillar in the conduct of elections across the country.
According to him, no successful election in Nigeria can be conducted without the active involvement of the NYSC, noting that corps members have been central to election administration since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members,” he said. “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.”
The INEC chairman further explained that for the 2027 general election, the commission would deploy a total of 1,414,768 ad hoc staff across the country, with corps members forming the majority of the workforce.
He disclosed that 707,384 corps members would be deployed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while an equal number would be engaged for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
In addition, 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.
Amupitan noted that corps members played a crucial role in the 2023 general election, where INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff. He revealed that more than 70 per cent of that workforce approximately 850,000 individuals were drawn from the NYSC and student volunteer base.
He also highlighted the significant role corps members play in ensuring electoral integrity at the grassroots level, stating that in many states they account for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in over 176,000 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he said.
The INEC chairman also praised corps members for their performance during off-cycle elections, particularly in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. He said their digital competence was instrumental in the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has become a key innovation in Nigeria’s electoral system.
He described corps members as the “tech-savvy backbone” of modern elections, adding that their resilience has ensured the smooth conduct of elections despite logistical and environmental challenges.
However, Amupitan acknowledged the risks associated with election duty and assured that INEC is working closely with the NYSC and security agencies to enhance the safety of corps members deployed for electoral assignments. He also said the commission is improving insurance and welfare packages to better protect and support them.
As preparations for the 2027 general election intensify, he stressed the importance of early mobilisation, training, and coordination of ad hoc staff. He added that upcoming off-cycle elections would serve as critical testing grounds for new innovations before the general election.
“These elections provide further opportunities to strengthen our democracy, and the participation of NYSC members will remain crucial,” he said, while formally requesting continued support from the corps.
In response, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering credible elections.
He noted that the partnership between both institutions, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 and regularly renewed, has remained effective over the years.
Nafiu described corps members as reliable, credible, and easily trainable manpower, adding that the next generation of corps members largely Gen Z with strong digital skills would further enhance electoral processes.
He assured INEC of continued support not only for the 2027 general election but also for all off-cycle elections leading up to it.
The collaboration between INEC and the NYSC continues to serve as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s electoral system, with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in 2027 and beyond.