Former Nigerian Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has broken her long silence on the 2018 NYSC certificate controversy, claiming powerful rivals within ex-President Muhammadu Buhari's administration exploited the issue to force her out. In a recent Channels Television interview, she described the saga as a calculated move by influential figures who saw the allegations as the perfect opening to eliminate her from office.
The controversy erupted in 2018 when reports surfaced that Adeosun submitted a forged NYSC exemption certificate for her ministerial role, despite passing National Assembly screening and prior DSS clearance. Born in London and returning to Nigeria after age 30, Adeosun maintained she obtained the document in good faith via intermediaries, believing she qualified for exemption. She resigned on September 14, 2018, amid intense media scrutiny, becoming the only finance minister in Buhari's tenure to step down voluntarily.
Adeosun directly accused "powerful enemies" in the administration of weaponizing the certificate issue, stating they viewed it as "an opportunity to get rid of her." She immediately informed Buhari of the allegations and her plan to sue the government for her reputation's sake, noting she could not ethically remain in cabinet while litigating against it. Buhari endorsed her choice, stressing the value of safeguarding one's name for future generations over holding office.
A Federal High Court in July 2021 ruled Adeosun faced no penalties for the certificate in public office, affirming her exemption eligibility as a returning citizen over 30, though it sidestepped the document's authenticity. Her revelations highlight alleged internal power struggles in Buhari's government and the political use of credential scandals in Nigeria. The full interview promises deeper insights into her impactful tenure, marked by economic reforms.