Nigerians have taken to social media to berate Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, for skipping the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, despite graduating from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) at the age of 25.
Recall that The Herald had yesterday reported, quoting a Premium Times investigation, how Shittu bagged a Law degree in 1978 at age 25 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where he qualified to become a lawyer in 1979.
But instead of participating in the NYSC scheme as prescribed in Section 2 of the NYSC Act, he contested for and won election into the Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979.
In his defence, Shittu said that he believed that his election into the state assembly substituted for national youth service as it was also a form of “service” to the nation.
The latest controversy is coming barely a week after Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun resigned for forging her NYSC certificate and a WAEC result altering scandal hit the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla.
Read Also: REVEALED: Another Buhari Minister Graduated At 25, Failed To Participate In NYSC
Nigerians have however taken to Twitter to call the minister out for flouting the NYSC Act and advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sack him immediately should he fail to resign.
See tweets:
So, Shittu knew he didn't have a certificate but instead of secretly resigning alongside Adeosun, he stayed in government?
At this stage, all Buhari's appointees need to 'line up' outside Ask Rock with their certificates.
Someone with a cane needs to do a physical inspection.
— Gege (@nigeriasbest) September 21, 2018
When is Shittu resigning?
— Abu Rayyan (@Abdulrahmanleme) September 20, 2018
Wetin Buharideens take offend Premium Times?
Another table now being shaken.
Shittu! NYSC again!
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) September 20, 2018
Nigerias minister Adebayor Shittu did not participate in NYSC. Buhari govt is filled with ruthless scammers.
— PRINCE | OF | AFRICA (@rickieflamez) September 20, 2018
Shittu didn’t do NYSC too? Interesting.
— Nurse Bambi (@The_HauteNurse) September 20, 2018
Buhari is happy with this new trend. It's an opportunity to replace Shittu with a Northerner. In fact, I'm sure he has one in waiting. https://t.co/ROmTeqHpHd
— John Paul (@akinduro) September 20, 2018
It took President Buhari 6 months to put a list of "saints" together as Ministers.
Despite the lengthy duration, it is sad that we've seen one who forged certificate, one with false age declaration and now Shittu Adebayo.
We must not allow this clueless govt to return in 2019. pic.twitter.com/oS1j9I8JvZ
— Agbo Emmanuel, MFR (@DrAgboEmmanuel) September 21, 2018
If truly Shittu does not have a NYSC certificate, what is the importance of DSS screening?
— #OgbeniAsiwaju (@AsiwajuOladimej) September 20, 2018
Finally, NYSC will get shittu out. 😂😂😂😂.
— Engr. Adamu Hayatu™ (@AHayatu) September 20, 2018
Minister for Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu did not actually serve in the compulsory NYSC scheme.
He instead went to serve as an elected member of the state assembly in 1979 instead of going for NYSC.
He thought they were all service to the nation
Interesting times!
— Tobi Adisa (@deeduke1) September 21, 2018
If the news about another Buhari's minister in the person of Adebayo Shittu skipping NYSC is true, then one wonders the kind of institutions we have in this country.
— Ogele Chibuzor Toju (@TojuChibuzor) September 20, 2018