The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has warned Corps Members against violating Nigeria’s cyberbullying and social media laws, stressing that participation in the national service scheme does not place anyone above the law.
Key Highlights:
- NYSC DG warns Corps Members against cyberbullying and unlawful online activities
- Corps members accused of online offences may face police investigation and prosecution
- NYSC says it will not provide legal representation for offenders
- Legal Aid Council may offer support in deserving cases
- NYSC intensifies social media sensitisation campaigns for Corps Members
- Nafiu describes election duties as a noble contribution to democracy
- NYSC commends First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for donating mobile clinics
Nafiu gave the warning during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, where he emphasised that corps members remain fully subject to the Constitution and laws regulating online conduct and public behaviour in Nigeria.
According to him, any corps member accused of cyberbullying or unlawful social media activity would be investigated and could face prosecution by relevant law enforcement agencies.
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“The fact that they are corps members does not absolve them from being citizens bound by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“If someone says you cyberbullied him or her, the police will arrest you with your NYSC identity card and you will bear that responsibility.”
The NYSC Director-General clarified that the scheme would not provide legal representation for Corps Members involved in criminal or civil cases linked to social media conduct.
He, however, explained that the Legal Aid Council could provide pro bono legal assistance where necessary, particularly during investigations or court proceedings.
Nafiu disclosed that the NYSC had intensified sensitisation campaigns to educate Corps Members on responsible use of social media and digital communication platforms amid increasing concerns over online misconduct.
“The rule of the game has changed. You cannot just go online calling out people because someone can accuse you of cyberbullying,” he stated.
He added that the NYSC understands the realities of the younger generation, especially with more Generation Z graduates participating in the one-year national service programme.
“We know this generation loves content creation, and we are not against content, but there must be proper context and responsible engagement,” Nafiu added.
Speaking on election duties, the NYSC DG described the participation of Corps Members as ad hoc electoral staff as a vital contribution to Nigeria’s democratic process and credible elections.
“It is more noble to serve as election ad hoc staff than merely casting your ballot because you are facilitating credible elections for millions of Nigerians,” he noted.
Nafiu also commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for donating mobile clinics to support the NYSC’s healthcare outreach programmes in rural and underserved communities.
According to him, the mobile clinics have improved healthcare delivery by providing consultation rooms, scanning facilities, and basic medical testing services during medical outreaches.
He explained that while the clinics are mainly deployed to nearby states due to logistics constraints, they have significantly enhanced healthcare access for vulnerable communities.
“We can conveniently move them to nearby states like Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger, but taking them to places like Lagos involves major logistics requirements,” he said.
The NYSC was established in 1973 to promote national unity, integration, and development through the mandatory one-year service scheme for Nigerian graduates.
