Hannatu, who was recently sworn in as a Minister, has addressed the concerns raised by many Nigerians regarding her appointment. The controversy stems from her current status as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates under 30 years of age.
In a personal statement issued on Sunday, Hannatu defended her appointment, asserting that it does not violate any of the country’s laws. She clarified that there is no legal basis for the accusations made against her, both in mainstream media and on social media. She emphasized that neither Nigerian law nor the Constitution, nor the NYSC Act, prohibit the appointment of a serving corps member to political positions. Additionally, there is no requirement that a corps member must complete their service before being eligible for political office.
Hannatu pointed out that a previous court case in 2021, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, established that the Nigerian Constitution does not necessitate the presentation of a degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, to become a Minister.
She further explained her personal history with the NYSC program, stating that she started the mandatory national service in 2001 but was unable to complete it due to family obligations after being redeployed to Kaduna State. After a long break, she applied and was mobilized again for national service in Abuja, where she has been serving for the past 8 months before her ministerial appointment.
Hannatu reiterated her commitment to serving Nigeria and highlighted her current role as a Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy as a significant national duty. She expressed her intent to fulfill her NYSC obligation within the next four months while continuing to perform her ministerial duties effectively.
In conclusion, Hannatu reaffirmed her loyalty to Nigeria and her dedication to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country’s progress and prosperity.