Former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has provided a detailed account of the political machinations that led to her resignation in 2018, asserting that powerful internal forces within the Muhammadu Buhari government weaponized the controversy over her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to force her out of office.
The Orchestrated Pressure and a Fateful Decision
In a candid interview on Channels Television's 'Inside Sources,' excerpts of which aired on Thursday, January 2, 2026, Adeosun stated that her departure was not a voluntary step but a calculated move prompted by intense pressure. She described facing formidable opponents within the administration who seized upon the allegations of a forged NYSC certificate as the perfect tool to achieve her removal.
"I'm not confused about the fact that I had powerful enemies who I believed saw an opportunity. Let's get rid of her," Adeosun revealed during the interview. The former minister explained that the situation presented her with a stark choice: remain in government or pursue legal action to clear her name. She concluded that the two were mutually exclusive.
Meeting Buhari and the Path to Court
Adeosun recounted visiting former President Buhari to inform him of her decision to resign and seek judicial redress. She quoted Buhari as offering his full support, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's legacy for future generations.
"He said, 'I absolutely support you. Because these names are leased for our children and grandchildren, right? They are going to inherit them'," she shared. Adeosun firmly believed that suing the federal government while serving as a minister was untenable. "I sued the federal government. You can't be suing the government and staying in the government. You can't. You have to go. I think it is the right thing to do," she stated.
Legal Vindication from the Federal High Court
The former minister's legal pursuit culminated in a significant ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja in July 2021. Presiding Judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, delivered a judgment in her favor on a crucial point of law.
The court declared that Kemi Adeosun had no legal obligation to present an NYSC certificate to hold a public office in Nigeria and could not be penalized or face forfeiture of her office on that basis. It is important to note that this ruling did not address the specific allegation of certificate forgery, but it provided a substantial legal shield regarding the requirement itself.
Adeosun's revelations peel back the curtain on the intense internal politics and power struggles that can define tenures within Nigeria's federal cabinet, showing how personal controversies can be amplified for political gain.
