Fresh Trouble for Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as NYSC Certificate Controversy Resurfaces
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is once again in the spotlight following renewed questions surrounding the authenticity of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate — a controversy that refuses to go away.
Background of the Scandal
Tunji-Ojo, a key ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was first accused in 2023 of presenting a questionable NYSC certificate during his ministerial screening. Reports at the time claimed the certificate carried inconsistencies, including a date issued years after his alleged service period and a signature that did not correspond with the NYSC Director-General in office during that time.
Although the NYSC later clarified that the minister had been remobilized after absconding in 2006, and that the eventual certificate was a result of a clerical omission, the explanation never fully convinced many Nigerians.
“The certificate is genuine. Tunji-Ojo was duly remobilized and completed his service,” the NYSC stated in a clarification published by Information Nigeria on August 2, 2023.
Why the Controversy Has Resurfaced
Fresh doubts emerged this week on social media after investigative blogs reignited the debate, citing alleged new discrepancies between the minister’s NYSC details and official records.
Unconfirmed reports claim that anti-corruption groups have submitted petitions to both the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding a formal probe into the authenticity of Tunji-Ojo’s credentials.
While neither the NYSC nor the Interior Ministry has issued a new statement, political observers believe the renewed uproar could be linked to internal power tussles within the administration.
Public Reactions
Reactions have poured in across social media, with many Nigerians calling for transparency and consistency in leadership.
“If the NYSC system can’t be trusted, how do we expect ordinary citizens to follow due process?” one X (Twitter) user wrote.
Another user added: “We just saw a minister resign over certificate issues. Why is Tunji-Ojo’s case different?”
The controversy comes barely a week after the resignation of Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, who quit his post following similar certificate forgery allegations.
What This Means for the Tinubu Administration
The string of certificate-related scandals has put the Tinubu administration under fresh scrutiny, with critics arguing that due diligence was not properly conducted during ministerial vetting.
Analysts warn that if the renewed NYSC controversy around Tunji-Ojo gains traction, it could force yet another shakeup in Tinubu’s cabinet — and further dent the administration’s credibility.
While the facts remain officially unsettled, one thing is clear — the NYSC certificate saga is far from over, and Tunji-Ojo may once again have to defend his integrity in the court of public opinion.
