One of the major challenges that Nigerian politicians confront while in government is the falsification of their age and academic certifications including NYSC.
Several politicians have been accused of fabricating age and academic credentials, including NYSC certificates.
Some officials, particularly senators and House of Representatives members, resigned in response to popular fury, while others ignored the public’s complaints and served out their terms.
However, WITHIN NIGERIA reports on how certain Nigerian public officials were charged with forging National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
Here’s a list of Nigerian public officials who have been accused of forging NYSC certificates:
Kemi Adeosun
Premium Times, an online newspaper, reported that Kemi Adeosun skipped the mandatory national youth service and procured a forged certificate purporting to exempt her from the one-year exercise.
An investigation led by Boss Mustapha, then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was conducted, which confirmed that Adeosun’s NYSC exemption certificate was indeed forged.
The NYSC also responded to the investigation, stating that Adeosun forged her certificate.
Adeosun resigned from office as Minister of Finance in 2018, admitting in her resignation letter that she realized the NYSC certificate she submitted for her ministerial appointment “was not genuine” after the Premium Times report.
However, she later claimed her resignation was a “principled decision” and not an admission of wrongdoing.
Uche Nnaji
He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. He was accused of falsifying his NYSC credentials.
The NYSC discharge certificate he submitted stated that he began serving in April 1985, three months before his scheduled graduation in July 1985. It also revealed that he served for 13 months rather than the normal 12 months.
According to the findings, the certificate carries the number A231309, which includes an alphabet, although NYSC certificates issued in 1986 purportedly had six-digit numbers without alphabets.
The certificate was also revealed to be signed by Col. Animashaun Braimoh, who was not the NYSC Director-General at the time.
In response, the NYSC confirmed that it had no record of Nnaji’s certificate and could not authenticate it. Nnaji resigned from office following these allegations, and President Bola Tinubu accepted his resignation.
Peter Mbah
He is the governor of Enugu state. He was accused of forging his NYSC discharge certificate.
The dispute began when the NYSC published a disclaimer noting that Mbah’s certificate had not been issued by the corps.
The NYSC claimed that Mbah’s certificate number A808297 was invalid, and that he did not complete his duty.
However, a Federal High Court in Abuja found in Mbah’s favor, recognizing his NYSC certificate as authentic and properly issued.
The court also fined the NYSC N5 million for misrepresenting facts and acting in bad faith.
The court found that Mbah had indeed served in a law firm in Lagos and was reinstated into the NYSC in 2003 after seeking permission to attend the Nigerian Law School.
The NYSC’s claims were deemed “mischievous” and lacking credible evidence.
Stella Oduah
Stella Oduah, a Nigerian senator, was accused of forging her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The dispute arose when the NYSC published a disclaimer claiming that Oduah had not completed her duty.
According to the NYSC, Oduah was mobilized for national service in 1982/83 and posted to Lagos State, but she fled after the orientation and never completed her term.
A police investigation confirmed Oduah didn’t complete her NYSC and recommended prosecution for criminal conspiracy, fraud, and perjury.
Hannatu Musawa
Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, has been accused of not possessing a legitimate National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The scandal arose when the NYSC acknowledged she was still an active corps member, fueling claims that she failed to finish the mandatory duty.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a court case against Musawa, seeking her removal from office for allegedly violating the NYSC Act.
The NBA claims Musawa’s mobilization for service after exceeding 30 years of age was unlawful, making her certificate null and void.
Adebayo Shittu
Adebayo Shittu, Nigeria’s former Minister of Communications, was accused of skipping the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
He graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1978, at the age of 25, making him eligible for NYSC.
However, Shittu claims he was not called to serve and saw his election to the Oyo State House of Assembly as a kind of duty.
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