By Staff Reporter | Asiwaju Media Team
Public concern continues to mount over the prolonged silence of Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following serious allegations of academic credential manipulation and forgery of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records, allegations which the minister has yet to publicly address or refute.
At the centre of the controversy are claims that Tunji-Ojo allegedly submitted an NYSC certificate during his ministerial screening, despite conflicting records surrounding his mobilization history. According to allegations circulating in the public domain, the minister reportedly claimed he was mobilized for NYSC in 2006 and absconded, while also asserting that he was remobilized in 2019, a period during which he was already serving as an elected member of the House of Representatives.
Further allegations suggest that the NYSC certificate in question was printed in 2023, allegedly at a time when the document was required as part of his Senate clearance and screening process. Critics argue that the claims of multiple mobilizations and remobilizations, as well as the timing of the certificate’s issuance, raise serious questions of authenticity, manipulation, and possible forgery, all of which remain unanswered by the minister.
Reacting to the controversy, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State expressed deep concern, describing the allegations as damaging to the image of the ruling party if left unresolved.
The party leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the allegations against Tunji-Ojo as sad and troubling, adding that they present an apparent impossibility to defend if proven true.
He further clarified that NYSC participation is not a constitutional requirement for either elective office or ministerial appointment in Nigeria, stressing that honesty and transparency are paramount.
“If anyone has not reached the level of education that qualifies them for NYSC, they should state it clearly and submit only the credentials they legitimately possess, even if it is SSCE. What we are dealing with here are allegations of forgery, not eligibility,” he said.
The APC chieftain emphasized that the party has distanced itself from the allegations, maintaining that they are personal to the minister and not a reflection of party policy or values.
Meanwhile, an Abuja based APC figure, Alhaji Gamba Gololo, has escalated the matter through a series of videos posted on his TikTok account, where he praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anti-corruption posture, particularly efforts aimed at recovering allegedly stolen public funds and assets from past and present officials.
However, Gololo sharply criticized what he described as selective justice, alleging that Tunji-Ojo has been shielded from accountability despite claims that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged contract related irregularities linked to former Minister Dr. Betta Edu.
According to Gololo, while Dr. Edu was suspended following investigations, Tunji-Ojo allegedly failed to honour EFCC invitations without consequence, raising concerns about unequal application of the law.
“This is selective justice. Some ministers are suspended, sacked, or forced to resign, while others are protected by godfathers,” Gololo alleged.
He further claimed that the situation has damaged Nigeria’s international image, fostering a perception that certain politically connected individuals enjoy immunity, particularly along regional or political lines.
Amid growing public outrage, several civil society organisations have reportedly vowed to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the allegations of credential forgery and contract fraud involving the minister.
The groups have announced plans to embark on peaceful nationwide protests, demanding transparency, accountability, and a thorough investigation by relevant authorities.
As the controversy deepens, analysts warn that continued silence from the minister risks eroding public trust, not only in the individual but in institutions responsible for vetting and accountability.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has not issued any comprehensive public response or clarification as of the time of this report. Observers argue that a clear, documented explanation remains the most effective path to restoring confidence and preserving institutional credibility.
