The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to mobilise about 1.4 million ad hoc staff, largely drawn from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made on Monday, May 11, 2026, during a strategic courtesy visit by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and other senior officials of the commission to the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja.
The INEC delegation was received by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the scheme’s management team at the Yakubu Gowon House.
According to INEC, the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between both institutions ahead of the 2027 elections and other off-cycle polls across the country.
Corps Members Remain Central to Elections
Speaking during the meeting, Professor Amupitan described corps members as central to election management in Nigeria since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He said NYSC members have consistently served as presiding officers and registration area officers in polling units across the country.
The INEC chairman noted that the 2023 general elections involved about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with corps members and student volunteers accounting for more than 70 per cent of the workforce.
He added that the commission remained grateful for the contributions of corps members to the conduct of elections nationwide.
INEC Outlines 2027 Election Plans
Providing details of preparations for the 2027 polls, Amupitan disclosed that INEC would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Another 707,384 personnel, he said, would also be deployed for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The INEC chairman added that additional personnel would be needed for governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.
He said the commission was making arrangements ahead of the elections to ensure effective deployment and coordination across the country.
INEC Commends Corps Members
Amupitan praised corps members for their discipline, neutrality, patriotism, and digital skills during election duties.
He particularly commended their role in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during recent elections.
According to him, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in several states during the 2023 elections.
“They protected the sanctity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide,” the INEC chairman said.
NYSC Calls for Better Welfare
Responding, NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in conducting credible elections.
He described corps members as reliable, patriotic, and easily trainable manpower that continues to contribute to Nigeria’s democratic process.
Nafiu also appealed for improved welfare packages, compensation, and insurance coverage for corps members deployed for election duties. According to him, better welfare and security support would encourage corps members participating in electoral assignments.
NYSC Reaffirms Support for INEC
The NYSC Director-General assured INEC that the scheme would continue to mobilise corps members and administrative personnel for future elections.
He noted that the emerging generation of corps members possesses stronger digital and ICT skills that would support modern electoral operations.
Nafiu said the transition from millennial corps members to Gen Z participants could further improve technology-driven election processes. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the NYSC to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and electoral system.
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