The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has stated that corps members are fully bound by Nigeria’s cybercrime, cyberbullying, and social media regulations throughout their one-year national service.
He made this known on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, stressing that participation in the NYSC scheme does not place corps members above existing laws governing online behaviour and public conduct.
According to him, every corps member remains a Nigerian citizen and is therefore subject to the Constitution as well as all legal provisions regulating digital communication and online activity.
Nafiu explained that any allegation of cyberbullying involving corps members would be properly investigated by relevant security agencies and addressed according to due process, without regard to their service status.
He also clarified that the NYSC is not responsible for providing legal defence to corps members facing civil or criminal cases arising from their online actions. However, he noted that the scheme may work with the Legal Aid Council to offer support where appropriate.
“The fact that they are corps members does not remove their responsibility under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said, adding that individuals accused of cyberbullying would be held accountable by law enforcement agencies.
He warned that corps members could be arrested and prosecuted based on complaints related to online harassment, stating that possession of an NYSC identity does not offer immunity.
Nafiu further disclosed that the NYSC has intensified awareness campaigns to educate participants on responsible social media use, especially in light of rising concerns over digital misconduct and cyberbullying.
“The rules have changed. You cannot just go online making accusations or calling people out without consequences,” he said.
While noting that the scheme is not against content creation, he urged corps members to engage the digital space responsibly and within legal boundaries, particularly as many young Nigerians are active content creators.
He added that the NYSC is adapting its communication approach to reflect the realities of Gen Z participants in the service year, emphasizing responsible expression online.
On electoral duties, Nafiu described the role of corps members as ad hoc staff during elections as a valuable contribution to national development and credible democratic processes.
He encouraged them to see election service not just as duty, but as a meaningful way of strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.
Nafiu also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for donating mobile clinics to support NYSC healthcare outreach programmes aimed at improving medical services in rural communities.
He said the mobile clinics, equipped for basic tests, scans, and consultations, have improved healthcare delivery in underserved areas by reducing the need for referrals.
However, he noted that logistical constraints have limited their deployment to distant states, as transporting the facilities requires specialised equipment, funding, and coordination.
According to him, the clinics are currently based in Abuja and can more easily be moved to nearby states such as Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger, while far locations like Lagos present greater operational challenges.
He explained that moving the units involves heavy-duty transport and technical support, making nationwide deployment more complex and costly for the scheme.