Another minister, Adebayo Shittu busted for skipping NYSC

The NYSC scandal that made Mrs. Kemi Adeosun lose her job is about to be extended to her ex colleague in cabinet of President Buhari as Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu, is facing allegations that he failed to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Premium Times reports that Shittu was allegedly found to have skipped the mandatory NYSC scheme, calling it “an offence that may see him lose his position and earn him jail term.”

The report also revealed that Adebayo Shittu failed to participate in the NYSC scheme despite graduating from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) at age 25.

When contacted, “Shittu admitted that he did not serve but claimed he thought his first political post after graduation could suffice as national service, a claim lawyers and NYSC insiders consider as ludicrous and untenable.

“Skipping the compulsory national service is an offence under the NYSC law, punishable with up to 12 months imprisonment,” the report said adding that instead of NYSC, Shittu had gone into politics after graduation, and was, in 1979, elected member of the Oyo state House of Assembly.

He reportedly argued the election as a lawmaker covers for the mandatory NYSC scheme.

“The constitution provides for the qualification needed for state assembly members, NYSC is not there.

“I didn’t need it to become a member of the state assembly, and that is already a service,” he said.

The report said Shittu disagreed with its correspondent “who laboured to explain to him that the NYSC act makes participation in the scheme mandatory for all graduates like him and that election or appointment to political office does not qualify as a basis for exemption.”