Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has once again chosen not to address the controversy surrounding her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, News About Nigeria reports.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Musawa dismissed questions about the issue, saying that she remains focused on her role and won’t be distracted by discussions of the matter.
Musawa, the former adviser to the President on Culture and Entertainment, has faced scrutiny since her Senate confirmation in 2023.
During her confirmation hearings, she did not present evidence of completing the NYSC scheme—a mandatory requirement for many federal appointments.
This omission led to public outcry and a legal challenge, with some Nigerians filing a lawsuit to contest her eligibility for the ministerial role.
However, in April 2024, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court dismissed the case, stating the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to proceed.
When asked about the certificate controversy after a year in office, Musawa refused to explain, suggesting that the issue has been clouded by speculation.
“There have been many different accounts. The fact that I’m sitting here means that I didn’t do anything wrong. I will eventually set the record straight, but for now, my focus remains on delivering for Nigerians,” she stated.
Musawa hinted that she has participated in multiple NYSC programs without further elaboration and avoided clarifying whether she has since completed the service requirement while in office.
“One day, I will share my account of events to set the record straight, but now I think it’s important to focus on giving Nigerians the deliverables.”
