By BAMIYO EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have reaffirmed their commitments to sustaining its partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They pledged to ensure seamless and credible conduct of the 2027 general elections.

NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu NOA DG, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholder engagement on election administration and security.

Nafiu, was represented by the Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mrs Abdulwahab Olayinka.

He said that the scheme had put robust monitoring and supervisory mechanisms in place across states to ensure participating corps members strictly adhered to institutional guidelines, discipline, and neutrality.

“We have officers from the National Directorate Headquarters, who move round states to sensitise them to make sure they maintain discipline, integrity, and work by the rules.

“I must confess we have been achieving this in previous elections,” he said.

Reassuring the electoral umpire of the scheme’s unwavering support, Nafiu pledged that NYSC would mobilise and deploy all required corps members, provided with appropriate training and orientation.

“I want to assure INEC that we are still in partnership with them. We will maintain the collaboration and ensure that we deploy as many corps members as required.

“We will give them the necessary training, the necessary sensitisation, and ensure that we partner with all security agencies for their safety and a conducive environment,” he added.

Nafiu also appealed to political leaders, security agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during electoral processes.

He noted that corps members participating as ad hoc staff represented the nation’s youth and future.

“I want to appeal to all stakeholders to ensure that we have a peaceful election, as we will be having our youth—our children—out there as ad-hoc staff,” he said.

Nafiu also tasked INEC on prompt payment of election allowance to corps members during election, urging the commission on timely intervention where there were challenges with bank payments of such allowances.

On his part, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that the agency planned to intensify nationwide voter education and grassroots sensitisation ahead of the general elections.

Issa-Onilu said the agency’s extensive structure across the country positioned it uniquely to deliver comprehensive voter education to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

“We have 815 offices nationwide, maintaining a presence in all local government areas. Our officers are well-trained and have been consistently executing their duties.

“Since the assumption of office by the chairman, we have worked closely with him in mutual respect to ensure that we carry out comprehensive voter education and sensitise Nigerians on voter registration,” Issa-Onilu said.

He further disclosed that the agency would soon convene a major gathering to formally launch its nationwide voter education and sensitisation initiative for the 2027 general elections.

“We are going to work closely with all key stakeholders, especially the INEC, security agencies, and the media,” he added.

He disclosed that NOA currently collaborated with 253 radio stations, 72 television channels, and numerous digital media influencers.

He stressed, however, that the agency’s primary strength lies in its direct grassroots reach across all 774 local government areas.

“Our reach extends to all corners of the country, and we will intensify these efforts to ensure the 2027 elections are credible and that all citizens can be proud of the outcome,” Issa-Onilu said.

He reassured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to promoting civic responsibility, peaceful engagement, and active political participation across the nation. (NAN)

Update news