The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has warned that corps members are subject to Nigeria’s cyber laws and social media regulations throughout their mandatory service year.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondence on Thursday, Nafiu emphasized that NYSC participants remain citizens of Nigeria, fully bound by constitutional provisions and existing laws on online conduct and cyber activities.
He clarified that allegations of cyberbullying involving corps members will be investigated and addressed by law enforcement, and the NYSC is not responsible for providing legal representation in such matters. Instead, the Legal Aid Council may offer pro bono legal support when necessary.
“Being a corps member does not exempt anyone from the law. If you are accused of cyberbullying, authorities can investigate and prosecute regardless of your NYSC status,” Nafiu said. He added that the NYSC has intensified awareness campaigns to educate participants on responsible social media usage.
The NYSC DG encouraged content creation but urged that all online activity remain responsible and lawful. “Generation Z graduates, who are increasingly joining the service, must understand the importance of context and responsible engagement in digital spaces,” he noted.
On election duties, Nafiu highlighted that serving as ad hoc staff during elections offers corps members a direct role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He described participation as a noble service that goes beyond merely casting a vote.
The NYSC DG also commended First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for donating mobile clinics to support the scheme’s healthcare outreach programmes in underserved rural communities. These clinics provide scanning, consultations, and basic medical tests, improving access to healthcare services nationwide.
Nafiu acknowledged logistical challenges in deploying mobile clinics to distant states due to transportation, technical support, and operational funding requirements, but noted that nearby states like Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger can be served more easily.
Established in 1973, the NYSC promotes national unity and integration through a mandatory one-year service program for Nigerian graduates, combining community development, public service, and skill-building initiatives across the country.
