NATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY CRISIS: PRESSURE MOUNTS ON TUNJI-OJO AS NIGERIANS DEMAND FULL DISCLOSURE OF NYSC, ACADEMIC RECORDS
By Dada Ayoola
Nigeria is witnessing a renewed wave of public pressure as citizens, civil society groups, and legal practitioners demand full disclosure of the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The controversy, which has sparked nationwide debate, raises fundamental questions about transparency, accountability, and credibility within one of Nigeria’s most sensitive ministries.
Hon. Tunji-Ojo, who oversees Immigration, Citizenship, the Civil Defence Corps, Correctional Services and the Federal Fire Service, is now at the centre of what analysts describe as one of the most significant integrity tests faced by a sitting Minister in the Fourth Republic.
Conflicting NYSC Records Trigger Public Outcry
At the heart of the controversy are two conflicting NYSC mobilization timelines circulating online. One suggests that the Minister was mobilized in 2006—during a period he was reportedly in the United Kingdom. Another indicates a 2019 mobilization, the same year he was an elected Member of the House of Representatives.
Critics insist the timelines are incompatible with NYSC obligations, prompting questions about whether the proper procedures were followed and whether the documents in circulation are authentic. Additionally, speculation persists over who authored the NYSC letters trending on social media.
Legal experts warn that under the NYSC Act, Cap N84 LFN 2004, any falsified, forged or irregular NYSC document constitutes a criminal offence—whether produced internally or externally. The Corps is now facing growing pressure to provide clarity and release an official statement addressing the discrepancies.
Broader Implications for Internal Security Leadership
While Tunji-Ojo has earned early commendation for reforms in passport processing, citizens argue that his office extends far beyond passport administration. The Ministry of Interior is regarded as the nerve centre of Nigeria’s internal security structure, and many believe unresolved questions about its leadership could damage public trust.
Stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State are already distancing themselves from the controversy. Party leaders at both state and federal levels insist that the integrity of national institutions must be prioritised above political considerations.
FOI Act and Constitutional Concerns
Under Section 11 of the Freedom of Information Act (2011), government institutions—including NYSC—must release requested records within seven days. These include academic credentials, NYSC mobilization records, and documents submitted during ministerial screening.
Failure to do so, analysts note, constitutes a violation of federal law.
Sections 66, 147, and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution also criminalize the submission of falsified documents by public officials. Advocacy groups are therefore demanding clarity to protect the institutional credibility of the Ministry of Interior and the NYSC.
Conflict of Interest Questions Re-emerge
The controversy is further complicated by revelations involving a ₦438.1 million contract awarded to New Planet Project Ltd, a company previously linked to Tunji-Ojo. Although he insists he resigned from the company in 2019, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) summoned him to clarify whether he still retained beneficial interests.
Critics argue that the year 2019—when he reportedly disengaged from the company—coincides with the same year he was allegedly mobilized for NYSC while serving as a legislator, raising more concerns about overlapping obligations and declarations.
Calls for Presidential Intervention
Given the sensitivity of the ministry he leads, many Nigerians are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action. Their demands include:
A full verification of all documents submitted by Tunji-Ojo during his ministerial screening.
A public clarification from NYSC regarding all records associated with the Minister.
Enforcement of the NYSC Act, the FOI Act, and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Measures to safeguard the integrity of national institutions.
Observers emphasize that the situation is not about partisan rivalry but about maintaining trust in institutions responsible for enforcing the law.
As public interest intensifies, Nigerians now look to President Tinubu for leadership that reinforces a central tenet of democracy: no individual is above the law.
