By media360impact
A civil society organisation, the Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold his administration’s commitment to integrity and transparency by ordering a thorough investigation into allegations surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja, the Convener of NIM, Isaiah Davies Ijele, warned against attempts by some interest groups to pressure the president into shielding the minister from scrutiny, describing such moves as a “dangerous precedent” that could damage the administration’s reputation for rule-based governance.
“It is unthinkable that a nation like Nigeria, where integrity and accountability should be paramount, is witnessing calls to shield a public official from investigation over certificate irregularities,” Ijele said. “Those who should be demanding transparency are the ones calling for cover-ups. The word ‘shield’ means to protect something — but what exactly is being protected?”
Ijele said the controversy over Minister Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC certificate had persisted since 2023 when Premium Times reportedly wrote to the NYSC seeking clarification on discrepancies in his service record. The NYSC later confirmed that Tunji-Ojo was first mobilised in 2006, absconded, and was subsequently remobilised in 2019, with his certificate issued in 2023 after what the Corps described as an “administrative delay.”
However, the NIM convener argued that the explanation raised more questions than answers, including how a serving member of the House of Representatives at the time could have concurrently undertaken NYSC service.
“You cannot hold an umbrella except there is rain or sunshine. What is the President shielding? Something is wrong,” he said. “If a previous minister resigned over a similar certificate issue, why is this case being treated differently?”
He urged President Tinubu to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate the matter openly, insisting that no public officer should be above the law, regardless of perceived performance or popularity.
“Yes, Minister Tunji-Ojo is considered a performing minister, but performance does not exempt one from scrutiny,” Ijele added. “We must test the integrity of our public officials. If indeed he has nothing to hide, he should submit himself for investigation.”
The NIM also questioned inconsistencies in the NYSC’s documentation process, demanding to know the school that recommended Tunji-Ojo for remobilisation and the sanctions applied when he was said to have absconded in 2006.
According to Ijele, the group’s findings suggest that “60 to 70 percent of government officials” may possess irregular or forged NYSC documents, a situation he described as “an epidemic of corruption within the system” that undermines national institutions.
He emphasised that the issue was not about political persecution but about protecting Nigeria’s integrity.
“The corruption in our government today is worse than what happens on the streets,” he said. “If we cannot protect the integrity of our institutions, we cannot build a credible nation. We are not witch-hunting anyone — we are demanding the truth.”
NIM cautioned that ignoring the controversy could hand political opponents ammunition and erode public confidence in Tinubu’s anti-corruption stance. The group maintained that transparency and fairness would strengthen public trust and demonstrate the government’s readiness to confront issues of ethical governance head-on.
“Every nation is built on the rule of law. The good a man does shall live after him,” Ijele said. “If President Tinubu truly wants to leave a legacy, he must ensure that this matter is investigated without bias. No minister, no matter how powerful, is above the law.”
Editor’s Note:
The allegations and NYSC response referenced in this report are drawn from publicly available records, including investigations by Premium Times and official statements by the NYSC. The Nigeria Integrity Movement’s position reflects its advocacy for transparency and institutional accountability.
