By Felicia Udeji
The NYSC certificate saga is once again at the forefront of Nigerian politics, this time involving Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
Musawa recently addressed the controversy on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating, “I didn’t break the law”.
This comes after she faced criticism for failing to provide evidence of her participation in the mandatory NYSC scheme during her Senate confirmation screening. However, in April 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case against her, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing .
This isn’t an isolated incident. Other Nigerian ministers and leaders have faced similar scrutiny.
In 2018, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun resigned due to allegations of forging her NYSC certificate.
In 2018, Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu faced criticism for not participating in the NYSC program.
The president of Nigeria a d former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, faced allegations of not having a valid NYSC certificate.
It’s clear that NYSC certificate controversies are not uncommon in Nigerian politics. Musawa’s case is just the latest example.
She claims to have done two NYSCs and vows to focus on her responsibilities rather than engaging with the controversy.
As Nigerians continue to demand transparency from their leaders, it’s essential to address these certificate scandals and ensure accountability.