The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has said that corps members are fully bound by Nigeria’s cyberbullying and social media laws during their compulsory national service.
Nafiu stated this during an interview session in Abuja on Thursday, stressing that participation in the NYSC programme does not exempt young graduates from existing constitutional provisions and regulations governing online behaviour.
He explained that any allegations of cyberbullying involving corps members would be duly investigated and handled by appropriate law enforcement agencies in line with established legal procedures, irrespective of their service status.
The NYSC chief noted that the scheme does not provide legal defence for corps members facing criminal or civil cases arising from their activities on social media or other digital platforms.
According to him, “Being a corps member does not remove your responsibility as a citizen under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“If you are accused of cyberbullying, you will be arrested and investigated with your NYSC identity, and you will answer for it.
“We are not mandated to fund legal representation in court, but we engage the Legal Aid Council to observe proceedings where necessary.”
He added that the Legal Aid Council may, in some cases, offer free legal assistance to corps members during investigations or court proceedings requiring support.
Nafiu also disclosed that the NYSC has stepped up awareness campaigns to educate corps members on responsible digital communication, following rising concerns over online misconduct and cyberbullying.
He warned that online behaviour now carries serious consequences, urging corps members to exercise caution when engaging on social media platforms.
The DG further noted that the scheme has adapted its communication approach to reflect the realities of younger participants who are active content creators.
He added that while the NYSC does not oppose content creation, corps members are expected to ensure that their online activities remain responsible and within legal boundaries.
On national assignments, Nafiu described corps members’ involvement in election duties as ad hoc staff as a valuable contribution to strengthening democratic processes in the country.
He said such roles provide an opportunity for corps members to actively support credible elections and national development.
Nafiu also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for donating mobile clinics to enhance NYSC medical outreach programmes in rural communities.
He said the mobile clinics have improved healthcare delivery by enabling on-the-spot consultations, scans, and basic medical tests during outreach exercises in underserved areas.
According to him, the facilities are primarily deployed to rural communities as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
However, he noted that logistical constraints have limited the deployment of the mobile clinics to faraway states due to the cost and technical requirements involved in transportation.
He explained that the clinics are currently based in Abuja, adding that moving them to distant locations requires specialised carriers and significant operational funding.
Nafiu added that while nearby states can be accessed more easily, deploying the clinics to far-off regions such as Lagos presents more complex logistical challenges.
The NYSC, established in 1973, is a federal government initiative aimed at promoting national unity, integration, and development through compulsory one-year service for Nigerian graduates.