Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, could follow the dreaded path of former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, after skipping the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Mrs Adeosun was pressured into quitting her position last week following months of tension over a fake NYSC certificate.
Now, Mr Shittu, who failed to participate in the NYSC scheme despite graduating from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) at age 25, could be the next in line.
This would come as a huge blow considering the integrity card and change mantra being preached by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Skipping the compulsory national service is an offence under the NYSC law, punishable with up to 12 months imprisonment.
Employers are mandated by law to always request NYSC certificate of national service from employees as part of the conditions for hiring.
Shittu, born on March 23, 1953, studied Law at Ife, graduating in 1978.
He then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, qualifying as a lawyer in 1979.
Shittu was elected a member of the Oyo State House Assembly in 1983.
Having earned a bachelors degree at the age of 25, Section 2 of the NYSC Act expects Mr Shittu to have participated in the year-long national service.
Shittu, however, claims the NYSC certificate is not a requisite in politics.
“The constitution provides for the qualification needed for state assembly members, NYSC is not there,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.
“I didn’t need it to become a member of the state assembly, and that is already a service.”
Shittu hopes to become the next governor of Oyo State in 2019.
