Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has defended her decision to accept a ministerial role while still participating in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Musawa addressed questions about how she became a minister without an NYSC certificate—a requirement for public office in Nigeria.
Musawa insisted that she followed all legal requirements, explaining that she had completed “two years” of national youth service in her lifetime.
“The fact that I’m sitting here should tell you I did nothing wrong,” she stated, dismissing rumors circulating on social media. She further mentioned that while the issue had been discussed in legal settings, she had yet to share her full side of the story publicly.
Asked whether she owes Nigerians an explanation, Musawa reiterated her stance: “I did not break the law. I did NYSC and finished. I can assure you everything was done in accordance with the law.”
Musawa was appointed as minister in August 2023, while still serving as a corps member. During her senate screening, the issue of her NYSC status was not raised by lawmakers.
Watch her address the matter in the video.