By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to increase the remuneration of corps members engaged as ad hoc staff during elections across the country.
General Nafiu also urged the electoral body to ensure prompt payment of insurance benefits and medical support for corps members who sustain injuries or lose their lives while on election duty.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
According to Nafiu, improved welfare packages would motivate more corps members to participate actively in election duties and strengthen their commitment to national service.
He further appealed to INEC to release the names of corps members selected for electoral assignments early enough to enable the NYSC make adequate logistical and administrative preparations before election periods.
The NYSC boss commended the long-standing partnership between both agencies, describing corps members as competent, neutral, digitally proficient, and patriotic personnel capable of delivering credible elections nationwide.
“Corps members remain one of the most reliable manpower resources available to support free and fair elections in Nigeria,” he said.
Nafiu also praised the security arrangements provided for corps members during the recent Anambra State governorship election and expressed hope that similar measures would be replicated in future elections.
He reaffirmed NYSC’s readiness to support upcoming off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections.
“We have sufficient manpower to provide the necessary support for INEC, not only for the 2027 general elections but also for off-cycle elections scheduled this year,” he stated.
Highlighting welfare concerns, the NYSC DG noted that the Scheme’s insurance coverage does not fully cover election-related assignments, making INEC’s insurance support crucial for corps members deployed during polls.
He also called on government agencies, civil society groups, and well-meaning Nigerians to support INEC in strengthening the nation’s democratic process.
Responding, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan described corps members as among the most dedicated and trusted personnel engaged during elections, noting that their neutrality has consistently boosted public confidence in the electoral process.
He assured that INEC would continue collaborating with NYSC and security agencies to improve safety measures and welfare packages for corps members on election duty.
“We are constantly refining our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission would require over 1.4 million corps members for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, 707,384 corps members would be needed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the same number would also be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
Amupitan noted that corps members currently make up nearly 90 percent of INEC’s Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers nationwide, including in difficult and remote terrains.
He particularly praised corps members for their performance during the Anambra governorship and FCT Area Council elections, citing their digital proficiency in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The INEC chairman pledged the commission’s commitment to proper training and effective mobilisation of all ad hoc staff ahead of future elections.
“Our collective effort is essential to ensuring transparent, peaceful, and credible elections in Nigeria,” he said.
