The ongoing controversy surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has attracted calls from civil society for a transparent and thorough investigation. The Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM), a prominent civil society organization, has urged President Bola Tinubu to authorize an independent probe into allegations of irregularities linked to the minister’s NYSC certificate.
Addressing the media in Abuja, NIM convener Davies Ijele emphasized that no public official, regardless of performance or political standing, should be exempt from scrutiny when allegations of forgery or document irregularities arise. Ijele warned that attempts to shield the minister from probe would undermine the administration’s credibility and provide fertile ground for political exploitation.
“The rule of law must take precedence over political interests and personal considerations,” Ijele stated, urging the president to direct the minister to cooperate fully with authorities to clear doubts about the authenticity of the documents submitted during his ministerial screening.
The controversy originated after investigations noted questionable discrepancies in the timing and issuance of Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC certificate. Although the NYSC has confirmed the certificate's genuineness, it acknowledged administrative omissions that delayed the certificate’s issuance by several years after the minister purportedly completed the scheme. The Corps revealed that Tunji-Ojo was initially mobilized in 2006 but absconded before later remobilization in 2019, which raised concerns about how he managed public duties during that period.
The issue was further intensified when lawmakers noted that the certificate was signed by a Director-General who assumed office long after the completion date on the certificate, sparking doubts about the integrity of the documents and triggering demands for more detailed explanations from NYSC and the minister.
Ijele called for a full, impartial investigation not only into the minister’s records but also the administrative processes within NYSC to determine where accountability lies. He cited precedents where public officials stepped down amid certificate scandals, noting that voluntary transparency or resignation helps safeguard institutional integrity.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Nigeria's political and civil society sectors await President Tinubu's response on whether he will allow a conclusive probe into the matter, which many see as a critical test of the administration's commitment to transparency and rule of law.