The controversy surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate continues to trail some Nigerian ministers, past and present, raising questions about credibility, documentation, and eligibility for public office.
In recent months, reports have surfaced alleging that some ministers either forged, failed to complete, or submitted questionable NYSC certificates.
Below is a list of ministers who have been mentioned in connection with the NYSC controversy and what is known about each case.
1. Hannatu Musawa (Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy)
Hannatu Musawa faced public criticism over claims that she was serving in the NYSC while already appointed as a minister, an action some described as a breach of service regulations.
She denied wrongdoing, insisting she did not violate any law. In April 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed against her, ruling that the plaintiff lacked legal standing to challenge her appointment.
2. Uche Nnaji (Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation)
Minister Uche Nnaji has been accused of presenting forged university and NYSC certificates. Investigative reports alleged that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disowned his degree certificate, while the NYSC certificate he presented carried questionable numbering and signatures.
Both the minister and his associates have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. The matter remains under scrutiny.
3. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Minister of Interior)
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC record came under review after reports suggested inconsistencies in his service year and certificate details. He was said to have been mobilized in 2006 and later re-mobilized to complete the program.
Although no legal case has been filed against him, questions about his exact service details have continued to surface in public discourse.
4. Kemi Adeosun (Former Minister of Finance)
Kemi Adeosun’s case remains one of the most high-profile NYSC certificate controversies in Nigeria’s political history. In 2018, she resigned after an investigation revealed she presented a forged NYSC exemption certificate.
In 2021, however, a Federal High Court in Abuja cleared her, ruling that she was not legally required to present an NYSC certificate because she was already above 30 years old when she returned to Nigeria.
5. Adebayo Shittu (Former Minister of Communications)
Adebayo Shittu was accused of skipping the mandatory NYSC service despite graduating from university before the age of 30. He argued that his political career and national service in other capacities were sufficient.
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Although he was not prosecuted, the controversy prevented him from securing the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
What the Law Says
Under the NYSC Act, all Nigerian graduates under the age of 30 must participate in the one-year service program. Exemptions apply to individuals who graduated after age 30 or served in the military or paramilitary.
However, the law does not explicitly make possession of an NYSC certificate a constitutional requirement for ministerial appointment, leaving room for legal interpretation.
The Unending Investigations
As investigations and debates continue, Nigerians are demanding greater transparency from public officials. The NYSC certificate scandal, once seen as a minor administrative issue, has now become a recurring test of integrity for those aspiring to serve in public office.
