The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to increase the remuneration of corps members who serve as ad hoc staff during elections.
He also called for the timely payment of insurance benefits or provision of medical support to corps members who pay the supreme sacrifice or suffer injuries while on election duty in the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of NYSC, Caroline Embu.
The NYSC Director-General made the appeal on Tuesday when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, paid him a visit at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
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General Nafiu said granting these requests would encourage more corps members to participate in election duties and enable them to perform their roles with greater zeal as patriotic Nigerians.
He also urged INEC to expedite the release of the list of corps members to be deployed as electoral officers, noting that this would allow the scheme to make adequate preparations ahead of election days.
The DG commended INEC for the support NYSC has enjoyed through its collaboration with the commission.
He said the scheme has been part of Nigeria’s democratic process since 1999, although the agreement was formalised in 2011 and has since been renewed on several occasions.
He described corps members as “highly competent, credible, neutral, and easily trainable patriots with strong digital proficiency” who have the capacity to deliver credible elections whenever called upon.
The NYSC chief executive lauded INEC’s security arrangements for corps members during the last Anambra State governorship election, expressing hope that such measures would be sustained in future polls.
Nafiu added that NYSC would continue to play its part in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
He noted that the insurance policy currently in place for corps members does not cover election duties, adding that NYSC often relies on INEC’s insurance arrangements for such assignments.
The DG urged ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, and well-meaning individuals to continue supporting INEC to ensure its success.
“I want to assure you that NYSC is ready and committed to sustaining this collaboration for credible elections and for the growth and development of Nigeria,” he said.
“We will fully mobilise our corps members and essential staff for all upcoming elections. The scheme takes pride in the success of INEC because your success is our success.”
Earlier, the INEC Chairman described corps members as the most dedicated, educated, and patriotic election duty staff, whose presence at polling units has enhanced neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.
He reiterated INEC’s commitment to working with NYSC and security agencies to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols to protect corps members on election duty.
The INEC boss added that corps members account for nearly 90 per cent of the commission’s registration area officers and presiding officers in many states, contributing significantly to the conduct of elections across 176,846 polling units nationwide.
He praised corps members’ performance during the Anambra governorship and FCT Area Council elections, noting that their digital competence ensured the smooth operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Amupitan also pledged INEC’s readiness to work closely with NYSC to ensure proper training and mobilisation of all ad hoc staff required for the remaining 2026 off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections.
