NYSC DG Seeks Army Support to Secure Corps Members Ahead of 2027 Elections
Oru Leonard
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on the Nigerian Army to strengthen security arrangements for Corps Members who will participate in the conduct of the 2027 general elections as ad hoc personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Nafiu stressed the need to guarantee the safety of Corps Members before, during and after the elections, noting that their security would be critical to the successful discharge of their electoral responsibilities.
The NYSC Director-General made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola.
He said the NYSC would deploy Corps Members to support INEC in conducting the 2027 general elections, expressing the need for sustained collaboration between the Scheme and the military to protect the young Nigerians involved in the electoral process.
Nafiu congratulated Babalola on his appointment and commended his welfare-oriented disposition towards Corps Members serving within the Division.
He also applauded the GOC’s commitment to training and mentoring young officers under his command.
The NYSC boss expressed appreciation to the 81 Division for providing a secure environment for the Scheme’s operations across its areas of responsibility in Lagos and Ogun States.
He attributed the relatively stable security situation in the two states to the diligence, professionalism and experience of the military and other security agencies.
Nafiu disclosed that Lagos State alone accommodates about 20 per cent of the nation’s Corps population, with between 45,000 and 48,000 Corps Members deployed to the state annually.
He explained that Lagos and Ogun were among the few states where the NYSC deployed Corps Members to all local government areas, unlike some other states where security challenges had restricted deployment to certain locations.
According to him, the favourable security environment provided by the military has enabled the Scheme to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He therefore commended the officers and men of the Division for their continued commitment to maintaining a safe environment for Corps Members and NYSC operations.
In his response, Major General Babalola described Nafiu’s appointment as Director-General of the NYSC as well deserved.
He also commended the Lagos State NYSC Secretariat for its sustained support to the military formation, assuring the Director-General of the Division’s continued partnership with the Scheme.
The GOC emphasised that the security of Corps Members remained a priority, describing those serving within the Division as well behaved.
He attributed their conduct to the quality of leadership, guidance and mentorship provided by NYSC officials.
Babalola assured Nafiu that the existing partnership between the 81 Division and the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat would be further strengthened.
NYSC Media
