A civil society organisation under the aegis of the Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM) has called on President Bola Tinubu to authorise a transparent investigation into the controversy surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the convener of the group, Davies Ijele, cautioned that any attempt to shield the minister from scrutiny would undermine the government’s credibility and expose it to political exploitation.
He described calls by some interest groups for the President to protect the minister as “dangerous and damaging” to the administration’s image, stressing that adherence to the rule of law must take precedence over political convenience.
“President Tinubu should direct the minister to submit to independent scrutiny so the public can be satisfied that the documents he submitted on nomination are authentic,” Ijele said.
According to him, the fact that Tunji-Ojo is perceived as a high-performing official does not place him above the law, adding that allegations of document irregularities must be handled with full transparency.
He referenced a recent investigative report that prompted a response from the NYSC, which stated that the minister was initially mobilised in 2006 but absconded, before being remobilised in 2019 and eventually issued a certificate in 2023 after an administrative omission delayed its printing.
Ijele, however, noted inconsistencies in the NYSC’s explanation, questioning how a remobilised corps member could have completed service while simultaneously holding public office, and why the certificate was produced several years after the supposed completion date.
“The corps described the certificate as genuine, but its explanation left observers seeking further clarification about the sequence of events,” he added.
The NIM convener called for a comprehensive and impartial probe into both the minister’s service records and the NYSC’s administrative handling of the matter, insisting that transparency was essential to maintain public trust.
He warned that any perceived cover-up would provide ammunition for political opponents and tarnish the government’s anti-corruption image.
Recalling a precedent where a former minister resigned amid similar controversy, Ijele said voluntary accountability helps safeguard institutional integrity.
“We are not on a political witch-hunt. We demand truth — if there were administrative lapses at the NYSC, they must be fixed; if the minister’s documents are flawed, the law must take its course,” he stressed.
He appealed to President Tinubu to mandate relevant oversight and security agencies — including the Department of State Services (DSS) and anti-corruption bodies — to investigate the issue and make their findings public.
“Decisive, transparent action will reassure Nigerians and strengthen confidence in the administration’s commitment to accountability,” Ijele concluded.
