The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff, mostly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as preparations gradually begin ahead of the polls.
This was disclosed during a strategic courtesy visit by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, and a delegation of National Commissioners, directors, and senior aides to the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja.
The delegation was received by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the scheme’s senior management team at the Yakubu Gowon House.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Amupitan described the visit as more than a routine engagement, calling it “a mission of profound gratitude” to the NYSC for its long-standing role in supporting Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to him, corps members have remained central to election operations since 1999, serving as presiding officers, registration area officers, and other critical election personnel across polling units nationwide.
The INEC chairman revealed that the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and another 707,384 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.
He added that additional personnel would also be needed for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections expected in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.
Prof. Amupitan noted that the 2023 general election saw INEC deploy about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with over 70 per cent of that figure — nearly 850,000 personnel — made up of corps members and student volunteers.
“In many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers. They protected the sanctity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide,” he said.
He praised corps members for their patriotism, discipline, neutrality, and digital competence, especially in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has become a major part of Nigeria’s election process.
The INEC chairman also acknowledged the risks often associated with election assignments and assured the NYSC leadership that the commission was committed to improving welfare, insurance, and security arrangements for corps members deployed during elections.
Responding, NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu described corps members as “credible, reliable, patriotic, and easily trainable manpower” that have continued to support the country’s democratic process.
He reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering free, fair, and credible elections across Nigeria.
“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind a generation of digitally savvy Gen Z corps members whose ICT proficiency will greatly support modern electoral operations,” Nafiu said.
The NYSC DG also called for better welfare packages, compensation, and insurance coverage for corps members participating in election duties, stressing that improved support would encourage them to continue serving diligently.
He assured the INEC leadership that the NYSC would fully mobilise corps members and administrative personnel for the 2027 elections as both institutions continue to strengthen their partnership ahead of the nationwide polls.
