Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun has publicly attributed her resignation from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to the actions of what she described as “powerful enemies” within the government, asserting that internal political maneuvering — rather than solely the NYSC certificate controversy — was ultimately responsible for her departure from office.
Adeosun, who served as Nigeria’s finance minister until 2018, spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources,” excerpts of which were broadcast on January 1, 2026, ahead of the full episode scheduled to air this week. She referenced the long-standing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate saga — which previously forced her resignation amid allegations that she submitted a forged NYSC document — as a situation that her detractors weaponised to push her out of the Buhari cabinet.
In her remarks, Adeosun said she was convinced that influential figures within the Buhari administration saw the NYSC certificate controversy as an “opportunity to get rid of her” at a moment when they found her leadership inconvenient or politically unfavourable. She recounted that shortly after the matter surfaced, she approached President Buhari to brief him on the allegations and disclosed her intention to pursue legal action to clear her name. However, she said it became untenable to remain in office while suing the federal government, leading to her decision to resign.
Adeosun insisted she was the only finance minister in that administration to resign voluntarily, noting that she chose to step aside to protect her reputation and pursue justice beyond the political fray. She quoted Buhari as supporting her decision, emphasising the importance of safeguarding one’s reputation for future generations over clinging to position.
Her reflections bring renewed scrutiny to the dynamics that surrounded her departure, framing her exit not merely as a response to public controversy but as, in her view, part of an internal struggle within government where detractors seized on a difficult situation to advance their own interests. Adeosun’s account also underscores her stance that ethical considerations — including the perceived incongruity of remaining in cabinet while initiating litigation against the state — were central to her decision.
The NYSC certificate controversy has been a subject of extensive public debate since 2018, touching on issues of legal requirements for public office and political accountability. Documents from a 2021 Federal High Court ruling later clarified that she could not be penalised or stripped of her office over the certificate issue, as she was not legally required to present an NYSC certificate to serve in public office under the law; the court did not, however, address the specific question of the certificate’s authenticity.
Adeosun’s decision to revisit the circumstances of her resignation nearly eight years on has reignited discussion about political dynamics in Nigeria’s recent administrations, the role of internal government disputes in leadership transitions, and the lasting impact of controversies involving public officials’ credentials.
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