Juliet Ezeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy over 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as ad hoc staff for the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Amupitan described the engagement with the NYSC management as more than a routine visit, noting that it was an opportunity to express deep appreciation for the scheme’s critical role in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He emphasised that corps members have remained indispensable to the conduct of elections in Nigeria since 1999, stating that the commission heavily relies on them for election duties across the country.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members,” he said.
According to the INEC chairman, corps members are among the most dedicated and patriotic personnel engaged during elections, adding that their presence at polling units enhances neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.
He revealed that for the 2027 general election, INEC would require a total of 1,414,768 ad hoc staff drawn largely from the NYSC.
A breakdown shows that 707,384 corps members will be deployed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the same number will be engaged for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.
In addition, 52,446 corps members will 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.
Providing context, Amupitan noted that during the 2023 general election, INEC engaged about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with over 70 per cent approximately 850,000 drawn from NYSC members and student volunteers.
He further stated that in many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers, playing key roles in ensuring the credibility of elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot across over 176,000 polling units nationwide, including some of the most challenging terrains,” he said.
Amupitan also highlighted the contributions of corps members in off-cycle elections, particularly in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where their digital skills supported the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He described them as the “tech-savvy backbone” of Nigeria’s evolving electoral system, noting that their resilience ensured seamless electoral processes despite logistical and environmental challenges.
While acknowledging their contributions, the INEC chairman noted that election duties often come with risks, assuring that the commission is working closely with security agencies and the NYSC to enhance the safety of corps members during elections.
He added that INEC is improving its insurance and welfare packages to better reflect the value placed on corps members’ lives.
As preparations for the 2027 general election intensify, Amupitan stressed the importance of early mobilisation, training, and coordination.
He noted that upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as various bye-elections, would serve as testing grounds for new strategies and innovations ahead of the general election.
“These elections provide further opportunities to strengthen our democracy, and again, the support and participation of NYSC members will be crucial,” he said.
Responding, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering credible elections.
He recalled that the partnership between INEC and the NYSC was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 and has been renewed periodically.
Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable, and easily trainable manpower, noting that the transition to a new generation of corps members with stronger digital skills would further enhance election operations.
“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind Generation Z corps members who are highly digitally savvy and will add value to the electoral process,” he said.
He assured that the NYSC would continue to provide the necessary support, not only for the 2027 general elections but also for all upcoming off-cycle elections.
The collaboration between INEC and the NYSC remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s electoral system, with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections across the country.
