Corps members must help curb misinformation – NYSC DG

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned corps members against blindly sharing information on social media, urging them to verify content before reposting, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

He gave the warning on Wednesday while addressing corps members during an inspection visit to the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Katsina State.

Nafiu urged the corps members to develop critical thinking skills and ensure that information circulating on social media was authentic before sharing or commenting on it.

According to him, corps members have an important responsibility to help combat misinformation and protect society from the harmful effects of false and manipulated content.

“Do not believe everything you see on social media. Before you share, think through it. Check the picture and ask when it was first taken and whether there has been any manipulation,” Nafiu said.

The NYSC boss cited the circulation of old photographs and videos falsely presented as recent incidents involving the scheme as examples of how misinformation could mislead members of the public.

He also warned corps members to be particularly vigilant about artificial intelligence-generated and digitally manipulated content, noting that advances in technology had made it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine content from fabricated content.

Nafiu stressed that the orientation programme was designed not only to instil discipline and teamwork, but also to prepare corps members to become responsible citizens capable of making informed decisions.

He reminded them that corps members were prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities while in national service, especially using social media platforms to campaign for political parties or political interests.

“As corps members, you are not permitted to campaign for anyone. Don’t use your social media handle to promote any political parties or political interests,” he stated.

The DG further disclosed that corps members were likely to be deployed as ad hoc personnel by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the 2027 general elections.

He described the assignment as an opportunity for them to contribute to credible, free and fair elections, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.

“You contribute better to democracy if you make yourself available to help deliver a credible, free and fair election as ad hoc staff. You facilitate hundreds and thousands of people safely casting their ballots rather than you going to cast one yourself,” he said.

Nafiu explained that while an individual corps member’s vote represented only one ballot, participating in the electoral process as an official could help thousands of Nigerians exercise their constitutional right to vote.

“Your ballot is just one, but doing that assignment will help hundreds and thousands to fulfil their constitutional mandate,” he noted.

He urged the corps members to remain politically neutral, disciplined and responsible throughout their service year, stressing that they had a significant role to play in national development.

The DG also encouraged them to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, saying additional skills would improve their capacity to succeed in the modern economy.

He urged them to utilise their education and skills responsibly, noting that the country had invested significantly in educating young Nigerians and expected them to make meaningful contributions to society.