The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in delivering free, credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
The two agencies made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ engagement on election administration and security, where they outlined measures aimed at strengthening voter education, election monitoring and the deployment of personnel for the nationwide exercise.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said the scheme remained fully committed to its long-standing partnership with INEC and would continue to provide the manpower needed for successful elections across the country. Nafiu, who was represented by the Director of Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mrs. Abdulwahab Olayinka, said extensive monitoring systems had already been put in place to ensure corps members participating in election duties maintain professionalism, neutrality and discipline.
According to him, NYSC officials from the national headquarters regularly visit states to supervise and sensitise corps members, stressing that the system has helped the scheme maintain high standards during previous elections. He assured INEC that the corps would mobilise and deploy the required number of members for election duties while ensuring they receive adequate training and orientation before being assigned to polling responsibilities.
The NYSC boss also disclosed that the scheme would continue to collaborate closely with security agencies to guarantee the safety of corps members and create a secure environment for them to carry out their assignments during the elections.
He appealed to political actors, community leaders and security agencies to work together in ensuring a peaceful electoral process, noting that many of the ad hoc staff who would be deployed are young Nigerians serving the nation through the NYSC programme.
Nafiu further urged INEC to ensure prompt payment of election allowances to corps members, particularly in situations where banking challenges delay disbursements. He said timely payment would boost morale and encourage greater commitment among participants.
On its part, the National Orientation Agency pledged to intensify voter education campaigns across the country as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Director-General of the agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said NOA’s nationwide structure places it in a strong position to drive voter awareness and civic education in every part of the country. He revealed that the agency currently operates 815 offices nationwide, covering all local government areas and providing direct access to communities at the grassroots level.
Issa-Onilu explained that the agency has maintained a close working relationship with INEC and would expand its efforts to educate Nigerians on voter registration, electoral participation and the importance of peaceful conduct during elections.
He announced plans to launch a major nationwide voter sensitisation campaign in the coming months, bringing together critical stakeholders including INEC, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society groups and media organisations.
The NOA chief also disclosed that the agency works with 253 radio stations, 72 television channels and a growing network of digital media influencers to disseminate information to citizens across the country. Despite these partnerships, he said the agency’s greatest strength remains its physical presence in all 774 local government areas, enabling it to engage directly with communities.
According to him, the goal is to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed, actively participate in the electoral process and contribute to peaceful and credible elections whose outcomes can be trusted by all.
As preparations for the 2027 polls gradually begin to take shape, both NYSC and NOA expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among election stakeholders would help deepen public trust in the democratic process and guarantee successful elections across the country.
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