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 staff for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the commission, about 707,384 corps members will be engaged for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 personnel will be deployed for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
INEC noted that corps members remain the backbone of Nigeria’s election workforce due to their neutrality, discipline, and digital skills, especially in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The commission revealed that during the 2023 general elections, over 70 percent of its ad hoc staff were corps members and student volunteers.
Prof. Amupitan praised the contributions of NYSC members in safeguarding the credibility of elections across polling units nationwide, adding that their presence increases public confidence in the electoral process.
Responding, the NYSC Director-General assured INEC of the scheme’s continued support, describing corps members as reliable and easily trainable manpower for election duties. He also called for improved welfare packages, insurance, and security measures for corps members participating in electoral assignments
