“I didn’t do anything wrong,” insists Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, as she addressed the ongoing controversy over her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. Musawa made this declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, firmly dismissing the ongoing debate as a distraction.

The controversy surrounding Musawa dates back to her 2023 confirmation when some critics claimed she had not completed the mandatory NYSC program after President Bola Tinubu nominated her for a ministerial position. During her Senate screening, the minister did not present evidence of participating in the service, which sparked legal action challenging the legitimacy of her appointment.

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The legal case, however, was dismissed in April 2024 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs had no legal standing to pursue the matter.

Reflecting on the issue after serving for over a year in office, Musawa stated, “I don’t know what you have heard. There have been so many different accounts of that particular situation. The fact that I am sitting here means I didn’t do anything wrong.” Musawa acknowledged that she has yet to clarify the full details, pointing to social media speculation as fueling various rumors.

“I’ve probably done more NYSC than you,” Musawa added humorously, hinting at her past experiences with the program, while assuring that she would one day set the record straight. For now, the minister remains focused on her role and refuses to let the controversy derail her work in government.