In a bid to address what she referred to as a “barrage of media attacks and misinformation,” Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has issued a statement clarifying her current status as a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and its relationship to her ministerial position. The statement was released on August 27, in response to the swirl of discussions surrounding her appointment and swearing-in as a minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Hannatu Musawa, in her statement titled “My Personal Statement On My NYSC Status As Serving Minister,” firmly stated that her ongoing participation in the NYSC program does not pose any constitutional hindrance to her role as a minister. Despite being a serving corps member, she emphasized that there are no laws within Nigeria’s constitution or the NYSC Act that prohibit a current corps member from being appointed to political positions by the President or any other appointing authority.
The minister elaborated that there is no requirement within existing laws or the NYSC Act that mandates completion of the national service before being eligible for appointment into political office. Addressing the allegations of legal infringement, she asserted, “I have not broken any law of Nigeria.”
Detailing her personal journey, Musawa revealed that her connection with the NYSC began back in 2001, when she was initially deployed to Akwa Ibom State upon the culmination of her university education. However, due to family obligations, she was unable to complete the service that same year despite redeployment to Kaduna State. She affirmed that it has always been her resolve to fulfill this national duty whenever circumstances allowed.
Eight months ago, she recommenced her NYSC national service by being mobilized to serve in Abuja. The minister clarified that this ongoing commitment to her national duty will continue for another four months, alongside her responsibilities as the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
To support her stance, Musawa referred to a precedent set by a 2021 case in the Federal High Court Abuja, where Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that Nigeria’s Constitution, as the foundational law, does not necessitate the presentation of a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, for ministerial appointments.
The minister reaffirmed her unwavering loyalty and dedication to serving Nigeria, pledging to carry out her responsibilities diligently. She reiterated her commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and expressed confidence that her current NYSC status would not hinder her higher call to national service as a minister.
