NYSC DG Draws Political Line in the Sand, Tells Corps Members: Your Social Media Is Not a Campaign Office

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has warned serving corps members to keep partisan politics away from their service year, including their social-media activities. The warning, delivered to the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members at the Lagos State Orientation Camp, comes as political activity gradually gathers momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

NYSC DG Says Service Year Is Not Party Primary

Nafiu reportedly reminded corps members that NYSC is an apolitical organisation and urged them not to participate in political campaigns, rallies or activities that could associate them with political parties. In other words, the khaki uniform may have pockets, but NYSC apparently does not want those pockets carrying party slogans, campaign materials or political arguments.

The warning is not entirely new. The NYSC’s existing bye-laws expressly prohibit corps members from taking part in partisan politics, with disciplinary consequences attached to violations. The official rules also emphasise discipline, proper conduct and following established channels during the service year.

NYSC DG Directs Corps Members to Remain Neutral in Politics

The DG also urged corps members to use social media responsibly and avoid cyber-related offences. Earlier in 2026, he had similarly stressed that corps members must remain non-partisan even in their online engagements, particularly because their future role in elections could require them to demonstrate neutrality.

For corps members, the message appears straightforward: supporting a political argument privately is one thing, but turning a service-year identity into an online campaign billboard could attract unwanted attention. The NYSC has also warned that corps members remain subject to Nigeria’s laws governing online conduct, meaning the internet is not being treated as a law-free extension of the orientation camp.

The issue is particularly significant because corps members have historically played roles in electoral processes, making public confidence in their neutrality important. As political conversations intensify, corps members will therefore need to watch both their physical activities and their digital footprints. OGM News NG will continue monitoring the NYSC’s enforcement of the warning and any further clarification or disciplinary action that may emerge.