The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned corps members against participating in political campaigns or using their NYSC identity and social media platforms to support political parties or candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also urged corps members to be cautious about misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content, advising them to verify information before sharing or reposting it online.
The NYSC DG gave the warning during a visit to an orientation camp in Katsina State, where newly deployed corps members are undergoing their orientation course.
He reminded the corps members that they are expected to remain politically neutral throughout their service year and warned that anyone found using their NYSC status or identity to promote a political party or candidate could face disciplinary action.
The NYSC chief also raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake photographs, videos and other forms of misleading content.
He urged corps members to verify the source of information, establish when photographs or videos were created and look for signs of digital manipulation before sharing them on social media.
Role in 2027 Elections
Corps members are expected to play an important role in the 2027 general elections, with many likely to serve as temporary election officials during the voting process.
The NYSC DG described their participation as an important civic responsibility and urged them to carry out their duties impartially and professionally to support the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
He also encouraged the corps members to take advantage of the NYSC’s skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development programmes.
According to him, acquiring practical skills and developing entrepreneurial abilities could improve their chances of succeeding in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive job market.
1,333 Corps Members in Katsina Camp
About 1,333 corps members are currently participating in the orientation exercise in Katsina, with male and female participants reportedly almost evenly represented.
The orientation programme commenced earlier in August and is scheduled to end on August 25.
Medical personnel at the camp have also treated hundreds of corps members for common ailments, including malaria, typhoid and blood pressure-related conditions.
A few corps members requiring further medical attention were reportedly referred to the general hospital for treatment.