In an official statement released on Sunday, Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, confirmed that she is currently serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).
The confirmation came in response to a flurry of media attacks and misinformation that followed her appointment as minister by President Bola Tinubu.
Ms. Musawa strongly asserted that she has not violated any laws of the NYSC.
“It is true that I am currently a corps member, a duty and devotion to my country which I commenced eight months ago. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the program when I was first mobilized in 2001,” she stated.
She emphasized that holding the position of minister while being an active corps member does not contravene any law or provision in the Nigerian constitution.
Referring to both the constitution and the NYSC Act, Ms. Musawa explained, “Nowhere does it state that a serving corps member cannot be appointed into political positions by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority.”
She further added, “There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any laws of Nigeria.”
Ms. Musawa also revealed that she reapplied to the NYSC last year to be mobilized for national service. The NYSC graciously assigned her to serve in Abuja, where she has been diligently serving for the past eight months prior to her current ministerial appointment.
Addressing why she was unable to complete the program when she first enrolled 22 years ago, Ms. Musawa said, “After completing my university education, I began mandatory national service as a corps member in Akwa-Ibom State in 2001. However, due to family obligations, I was unable to finish the service that same year after my redeployment to Kaduna State.
“Nonetheless, it has always been my personal resolve and commitment to fulfill this national duty whenever the opportunity arises,” she added.
The minister called on Nigerians to support her in her new role and expressed her intention to complete her NYSC program in the next four months.
